Japan pair post record Men’s T20I opening stand in win over China

Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and fellow opening batter Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake have re-written the record books in Hong Kong, posting the highest opening stand in Men’s T20Is, in their East Asia Cup meeting with China on Thursday.

The pair combined in an unbeaten stand of 258 after 20 overs, beating Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani’s opening stand of 236 against Ireland in 2019. The partnership is also highest partnership for any wicket in all men’s T20s and T20Is.

Winning the toss and electing to bat at the Mission Road Ground, Kadowaki-Fleming made the most of the correct call, hitting three fours and 11 sixes in his knock of 109* from just 53 balls. Not to be outdone, Yamamoto-Lake outran his skipper, finishing with 134* from 68 balls, of which 104 were scored in boundaries (eight fours, 12 sixes). It is the highest individual score by a Japanese man in T20Is, beating his opening partner’s 114 (43) against South Korea in Sano back in 2022.

Luo Shilin was the only bowler to go at under 10 an over in the onslaught, with the 258/0 total is the equal-tenth highest total in men’s T20Is.

In reply, China were bowled out for 78 on the way to Japan’s biggest margin of victory in men’s T20Is.

Teenage left-armer Kazuma Kato-Stafford claimed 3/16 opening the bowling, with leg-spinner Makoto Taniyama taking 3/5.

Japan face Hong Kong in the afternoon fixture.

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