By Anas Ahmed 
Japan Make History with Stunning Run Chase
Japan pulled off one of their most memorable victories in international cricket, defeating Kuwait by five wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier 2025 at Al Amarat.
The star of the show was debutant Esam Rahman, whose fearless 64 off 39 balls turned the match Japan’s way and earned him the Player of the Match award.
Kuwait Build Competitive Total
After electing to bat first, Kuwait posted a strong total of 177/6 in 20 overs, driven by consistent partnerships through the middle.
Openers Clinto Anto (34) and Meet Bhavsar (29) laid a platform, before Ali Zaheer (41 off 31) and Yasin Patel (40 off 28) took charge with powerful strokeplay.
Japan’s bowlers endured a tough outing early on, but Sabaorish Ravichandran (2/16) provided crucial breakthroughs, removing both openers and tightening the middle overs.
Late cameos from Bilal Tahir (8)* and Mohammed Aslam (4) pushed Kuwait close to 180, leaving Japan with a challenging chase.
Rahman and Ravichandran Shine in the Chase
Japan’s response was aggressive from the start.
Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (28 off 19) set the tone, before Esam Rahman took control, dominating the Kuwaiti attack with clean hitting. His innings featured nine fours and two sixes, showcasing superb timing and temperament.
Sabaorish Ravichandran (39 off 29) provided steady support, ensuring Japan remained ahead of the rate.
Despite late wickets, Ibrahim Takahashi (26 off 15) added valuable runs down the order as Japan reached 178/5 in 19.3 overs, winning with three balls to spare.
For Kuwait, Declan Suzuki (3/22) was the most successful bowler, while Yasin Patel (1/37) also picked up a wicket.
Brief Scores
Kuwait: 177/6 (Ali Zaheer 41, Yasin Patel 40; Ravichandran 2/16, Suzuki 3/22)
Japan: 178/5 in 19.3 overs (Esam Rahman 64, Ravichandran 39; Shiraz Khan 1/23, Yasin Patel 1/37)
Result: Japan won by 5 wickets (3 balls remaining)
Player of the Match: Esam Rahman (Japan)
Reaction from the Camp
Player of the Match Esam Rahman said after the win:
“It’s a dream debut. I just wanted to play my game and back my shots. The support from my teammates was incredible.”
Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming added:
“This win shows how far Japan cricket has come. The belief and composure in the chase were outstanding. We’re building something special.”
FAQ: Japan vs Kuwait T20 Qualifier 2025
Q: Who won the Japan vs Kuwait T20 Qualifier match?
A: Japan beat Kuwait by five wickets in Al Amarat.
Q: Who was the Player of the Match?
A: Debutant Esam Rahman for his match-winning 64 off 39 balls.
Q: What was Kuwait’s total?
A: Kuwait scored 177/6 in 20 overs.
Q: How many balls were left when Japan won?
A: Japan chased the target with three balls to spare.
Q: Who were the key bowlers for Japan?
A: Sabaorish Ravichandran (2/16) and Declan Suzuki (3/22) stood out.