By Dugout Philippines
DASMARINAS--It was a day of high emotions at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup EAP Qualifier B in the Philippines with the home team securing a tight win as their former General Manager, Iain Sinclair, was honoured in a memorial service.
Japan made a winning start defeating Indonesia by 12 runs in the first match of the day at the Friendship Oval.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Japan were two wickets down early as Naotsune Miyaji and Arata Ueda both fell to sharp catches inside the first three overs.
Captain Masaomi Kobayashi (38) then joined Makoto Taniyama (33) in a partnership of 69 from 74 balls.
The dismissal of Taniyama brought Tomoki Ota to the crease and changed the complexion of the match as he struck three sixes on his way to a 19-ball 39 not out.
That hitting took Japan to a final total of 136/5 from 20 overs, a score that looked around par on a ground with short square boundaries and extremely long straight ones.
When defending their total Japan made a perfect start as Rui Matsumura struck with his third ball, but the Indonesia batsmen continually struck boundaries and were 50/2 after six overs.
Two wickets fell quickly to Yamashita (1/22) and Taniyama (2/18) before a 51-run partnership between Muhaddis (37) and Ramdoni (20) threatened to take the game away from Japa
In the end a collapse of six wickets for 22 runs thanks to Rui Matsumura (4/18) and Kohei Wakita (2/23) saw Japan come out on top.
Prior to the afternoon match, the Philippines Cricket Association’s former General Manager, Iain Sinclair was remembered after passing away from cancer earlier this year.
Sinclair’s wife Nicolette traveled from England to speak at the service and for the first use of the Iain Sinclair Stand at the ground.
The home team then honoured Sinclair in the best way possible with a thrilling win over South Korea, who were competing in their first ICC match in more than five years.
South Korea’s decision to send the Philippines in did not pay off early, with the Philippines appearing set for a big total as their openers Jan Kiani (36 off 22) and Manoj Gohal (29 off 21) put on almost 70 for the first wicket.
But the South Koreans showed more than just enthusiasm in the field, tightening the reins and bringing the run rate back to a much achievable 8 an over, needing 155 for victory.
At 3 wickets for just 43 runs, the South Korean chase appeared to falter early but a 70 run partnership off just 35 balls between the Korean captain Jun Wyun Hoo (42 off 31) and Kim Dae Yeon (31 off 16), brought them right back into the game.
The fall of Dae Yon sparked another collapse leaving the Koreans requiring 18 runs off the last two overs with just two wickets in hand.
Player of the match Surinder Singh (4/23 off 4) was the match turner for the Philippines, winners by six runs in front of a jubilant home crowd.
The tournament continues on Sunday with Indonesia taking on South Korea, and the Philippines playing Japan.
Scores summary
Japan 5/136 (20) Ota 39* (19), Kobayashi 38 (41), Taniyama 33 (39) defeated Indonesia 124 (20) Muhaddis 37 (28), Tadarus 30 (21), Matsumura 4/18 (3.3) by 12 runs
Philippines 8/148 (20) Kiani 36 (22), Tyler 33 (27), Keun Yeol 3/26 (4) defeated South Korea 148 (20) Hyun Woo 42 (31), Dae Yeon 31 (16), Singh 4/23 (4), Russ 3/29 (3.5) by 6 runs
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