Japan's men's national cricket team is planning to tour Sri Lanka later in 2025 as part of their prep for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia–EAP Regional Final. Although a definitive itinerary is yet to be released, the tour will consist of multiple matches against domestic sides from Sri Lanka, giving the Japanese a chance to gain valuable match practice in the other sub-continent conditions.

So, why is this so important? The Asia–EAP Regional Final will be held in Oman from October 8 to 17. Japan will look to sharpen its skills and prepare for the spin-friendly conditions of the region. Japan has had solid development in world cricket over the last few years, predominantly due to investment in grassroots development and greater international play, resulting in increased exposure to global cricketing standards. Although cricket in Japan is gradually building momentum as a sport, and the number of active players in the country is increasing, the national team continues to show its potential with solid performances in regional tournaments.

The upcoming qualifiers in Oman will see Japan placed in Group B alongside Kuwait and Nepal. With only two group matches before the Super Six stage, every game will be critical. Facing quality opposition in Sri Lanka will allow the Japanese players to build confidence, improve decision-making under pressure, and gain experience against spinners, an area where they are expected to be tested heavily in the qualifiers.

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Japan Fixtures – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia–EAP Regional Final 2025

A strong showing in the Regional Final could see Japan qualify for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be hosted in India and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka tour is expected to be a vital step in Japan’s journey, offering the perfect build-up to what could be a historic moment for cricket in the country.

In a cricketing encounter marked by a stark mismatch, Mongolia experienced a crushing defeat against Japan in a T20 International match held on May 8, 2024, at the Sano International Cricket Ground. The match witnessed Mongolia recording the second-lowest score in T20I history, managing a mere 12 runs in their innings.

Match Details

The T20 International clash between Mongolia and Japan unfolded at the Sano International Cricket Ground, highlighting the growing presence of cricket beyond traditional cricket-playing nations. Despite Mongolia’s earnest efforts, the match turned into a one-sided affair as Japan asserted their dominance on the field.

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Japan, batting first, posted a daunting total of 218 runs, buoyed by a stellar innings from Sabaorish Ravichandran, who contributed 69 runs to the team’s tally. In response, Mongolia faltered against Japan’s formidable bowling lineup, succumbing to the pressure and managing only 12 runs in their innings.

Mongolia’s Struggles

Mongolia’s batting lineup struggled to contend with Japan’s disciplined bowling attack, with the team failing to build partnerships or muster significant resistance. The young left-arm seamer, 17-year-old Kazuma Kato-Stafford, emerged as the chief tormentor for Mongolia, claiming an impressive 5-wicket haul for just 7 runs. His stellar performance epitomized Japan’s dominance throughout the match.

Despite efforts from individual players like Tur Sumaya, who top-scored with a modest 4 runs, Mongolia’s batting order collapsed under the relentless pressure of Japan’s bowlers. Namsrai Bat-yalalt, facing the most deliveries, was unable to anchor the innings, reflecting the collective struggle faced by the Mongolian team.

Lowest Totals in Men’s T20Is

Emerging Cricket in Mongolia

The harsh defeat against Japan underscores the challenges faced by Mongolia in its nascent journey in international cricket. Introduced to the sport only seven months prior, Mongolia has encountered formidable opposition and steep learning curves, exemplified by its struggles in various competitions, including the Asian Games.

This was the second T20I of a seven-match series, while the third one, slated later in the day, did not yield any result.

In the first T20I, Mongolia were bowled out for 33 in reply to Japan’s 199 for 5, enduring a 166-run defeat.

This was Mongolia’s fifth T20I appearance, having made international debut at the Hangzhou showpiece where they made a group stage exit after losing both their matches.

Nepal had amassed 314/3 against Mongolia on their international debut, a match they had lost by 273 runs after getting out for 41.