The Women’s T20 Pentangular Series 2025 in Japan continues with Day 2 featuring a highly anticipated clash between the hosts Japan and Hong Kong at the Sano International Cricket Ground. While the tournament’s opening day got off to a damp start, with both matches washed out due to persistent rain.
Both the teams hold a dominant record in Women T20 Internationals (WT20Is). Japan featured in 43 WT20Is, winning 18 matches and losing 24. However, the other side, Hong Kong women has been featured in 91 matches, winning 50 and losing 38.
Their most recent face-off in the 2024 Women’s East Asia Cup final saw Hong Kong chase down Japan’s total of 108 without losing a wicket, winning by 10 wickets with 20 balls to spare. Earlier in the same tournament, Hong Kong triumphed over Japan by 44 runs in the opening match.
Squads:
Japan Women’s Cricket Team
Akari Kano, Seika Sumi, Erika Oda, Haruna Iwasaki, Hinase Goto, Ayaka Kato Stafford, Ahilya Chandel, Mai Yanagida, Meg Ogawa, Rino Morita, Kiyo Fujikawa, Erika Toguchi-Quinn, Elena Kusuda Nairn, Kurumi Ota, Nonoha Yasumoto, Ayumi Fujikawa, Shimako Kato
Hong Kong Women’s Cricket Team
Hiu Ying Cheung, Yasmin Daswani, Natasha Miles, Zara Haider, Dorothea Chan, Kary Chan, Emma Lai, Maryam Bibi, Alsion Siu, Betty Chan, Maira Balocch, Alishba Kanwal, Mahekdeep Kaur, Shanzeen Shahzad, Mariko Hill, Ruchitha Venkatesh, Iqra Sahar
Players to watch out:
Mai Yanagida
The experienced captain, Mai brings leadership and skill to the Japanese side. With 43 WT20I matches under her belt, she has amassed 482 runs and has taken 25 wickets with an impressive, best bowling figure of 4/8. Her all-round capabilities make her a vital asset to the team. In the most recent campaign during the Women’s East Asia Cup in October 2024, Yanagida scored a crucial 51* runs after the team was reduced to 8/6, leading them to a total of 90/9 and securing a spot in the final against China.
Shimako Kato
An emerging talent, Kato has shown promise in her 25 WT20I appearances, scoring 161 runs and claiming 15 wickets with having the best bowling figures of 3/8. In her most recent campaign during the Women’s East Asia Cup in October 2024, Kato contributed significantly with the ball, taking 6 wickets in five outings, maintaining an economy rate of 3.22.
Natasha Miles
The all-rounder is a stalwart in the Hong Kong lineup and has been instrumental in the team’s successes. She has featured in 60 WT20Is, amassing 1135 runs. Notably, she was the top scorer in the 2022 Women’s East Asia Cup, amassing 149 runs. Her experience and consistency at the top of the order provides stability.
Betty Chan
A reliable all-rounder, Chan has played 82 WT20Is, picking up 91 wickets with best bowling figures of 4/13. Her ability to deliver match-winning performances was evident in the Women’s T20I Quadrangular Series in China in November 2024, where she was named Player of the Match in the final against China, leading Hong Kong to victory.
Pitch:
The Sano International Cricket Ground offers a balanced pitch. The surface tends to favor both batters and bowlers and is recognized as a high wicket-taking pitch. The surface tends to favor pacers while batters can capitalize on the true bounce.
Weather:
Sano is experiencing typical June weather, marked by high humidity and frequent rainfall. The forecast predicts a 90% chance of precipitation, with humidity levels expected to rise to 98% and temperatures hovering around 18°C.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Erika Toguchi-Quinn, Natasha Miles, Akari Kano, Yasmin Daswani, Mai Yanagida, Betty Chan, Shimako Kato, Kary Chan, Ayaka Kato Stafford, Maryam Bibi, Rino Morita
Match Details:
Date – June 4, 2025
Time – 6:00 AM IST
Venue – Sano International Cricket Ground
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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