India survive Japan scare in rain-hit T20I decided by two runs
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The short version
- India beat Japan by two runs in their first-ever men's T20I meeting in Sano, Japan
- Rain shortened the one-off match to five overs per side; India scored 32, Japan 30
- A wide call against Axar Patel was reversed after leg umpire Chris Brown requested a review
- Japan's requirement went from six runs off four balls to seven off three after the reversal
A reversed wide call in the final over helped India hold off Japan by two runs in the countries' first-ever men's T20I meeting in Sano.
India's men's cricket team held on for a two-run win over Japan at Sano International Cricket Ground in the first meeting between the two sides. Rain reduced the one-off T20I to five overs per side, and India set a target of 32.
Japan closed to within eight runs needed off four balls when a sequence of umpiring decisions became the turning point. After a second wide was signaled, India objected, and leg umpire Chris Brown of the ICC Elite Panel called for the call to be examined.
Following a discussion, the original umpire withdrew the second wide, leaving Japan needing seven from three deliveries. Alexander Shirai-Patmore, batting left-handed, had swung at the delivery from Axar Patel that was first judged wide.
Japan finished on 30, falling two short as India, the top-ranked men's T20I side and reigning world champions in the format, avoided an upset in the tense finish.
Written by the Matchday Live desk from reporting by Yahoo Sports.
Read the original report at Yahoo Sports ↗