Japan grew to become the 14th nation to seal their place on the ICC U19 Males’s Cricket World Cup 2026 because of a dominant 115-run victory over Fiji, capping a scintillating, unbeaten week on the East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Sano.
The house aspect started the week with spectacular wins over PNG (by 106 runs and by 71 runs) and Fiji (6 wickets) and arrived at Monday’s fixture realizing a fourth victory would see them advance to their second U19 Males’s CWC.
Successful the toss and electing to bat first with out their common captain Nikhil Pol, the opening pair of Hugo Tani-Kelly (38 runs) and Nihar Parmar (36) made a strong begin, placing on 78 runs earlier than Parmar fell, bowled by Liga Manara. The dismissal of Tani-Kelly with the scores at 91 for 2 prompted a mini-collapse for Japan however vital contributions from Charlie Hara-Hinze (21) and Kazuma Kato-Stafford (25) helped steer them to a aggressive 167 all out in 43 overs.
Joeli Moala and Manara have been the choose of the bowlers for Fiji, recording three for 33 and two for 29 respectively.
With the most important chase of the competitors on the playing cards, Fiji started with Maika Kamikamica and Peni Mawa aiming to see off the opening bowlers, nevertheless it solely took till the top of the sixth over for his or her resistance to be damaged, with each openers dropping their wickets in successive balls to Kato-Stafford and Tani-Kelly.
The wicket of Vakatawa Jone introduced Manav Narayan to the crease, and regardless of a rearguard innings of 20 from 35 balls, Fiji have been undone by the gifted Japanese bowling lineup, dropping wickets at common intervals with Hara-Hinze (4 for 13) and Parmar (three for no runs and a run out) tearing via their center and decrease order.
Parmar picked up the ultimate wicket with Fiji effectively brief on the scorecards for Japan to seal a 115-run win and a World Cup place in entrance of jubilant house assist.
Additionally Learn: Afghanistan win Asia Qualifier to clinch U19 Males’s Cricket World Cup berth
Reacting to their qualification, Japan captain Pol, stated: “We’re so enthusiastic about qualifying for the World Cup. It’s the most important occasion on the U19 calendar and to observe within the footsteps of the crew in 2020 makes us extraordinarily proud.
“I can’t wait to signify our nation in Africa subsequent yr.”
The ultimate day of the occasion on Tuesday noticed PNG get their first win, beating Fiji by seven wickets in a rain-affected match, and following the conclusion of the motion, the Japanese duo of Hara-Hinze and Parmar have been recognised because the standout performers throughout the week – Parmar taking house the Batter and Bowler of the Match awards (121 runs and 13 wickets from his 4 matches), whereas Hara-Hinze picked up the Participant of the Match prize (92 runs and 12 wickets).
Japan had extra motive to have a good time quickly after, with no fewer than 5 gamers included within the Workforce of the Match. Captain Pol was named alongside Parmar, Hara-Hinze, Tani-Kelly and Skyler Nakayama-Prepare dinner, with the remining spots crammed by Narayan, Moala and Manara of Fiji, plus Gaba Frank, Vagi Vani and Anthony David of PNG.
1. Nikhil Pol (c) (Japan)
2. Nihar Parmar (Japan)
3. Hugo Tani-Kelly (Japan)
4. Manav Narayan (Fiji)
5. Charlie Hara-Hinze (Japan)
6. Gaba Frank (PNG)
7. Vagi Vani (PNG)
8. Skyler Nakayama-Prepare dinner (wk) (Japan)
9. Joeli Moala (Fiji)
10. Liga Manara (Fiji)
11. Anthony David (PNG)
Qualification for ICC U19 Males’s Cricket World Cup 2026
16 groups can be competing on the ICC U19 Males’s Cricket World Cup 2026 in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Ten groups robotically certified for the occasion because the best-placed Full Member nations from the 2024 version: Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, Eire, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
Full Member hosts of the World Cup in 2026, Zimbabwe have additionally secured computerized qualification.
The remaining 5 spots are decided via regional qualification pathways, with solely the profitable crew from every regional Qualifier advancing to the ICC U19 Males’s Cricket World Cup 2026.
Tanzania grew to become the primary crew to qualify via this route final month with victory on the Africa Qualifier, whereas Afghanistan additionally booked their World Cup ticket after clinching the current Asia Qualifier in Nepal.
Victory in Sano means Japan are the 14th crew to qualify, with Qualifiers in Europe and Americas nonetheless to observe in July and August the place the ultimate groups can be confirmed.
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