ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier - 9th Place Play-off – Japan v Zimbabwe – Match Update
Japan 152 v Zimbabwe 146 - http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Japan-c2928 Women won by 6 runs
Japan after having a horrible tournament finally managed to subdue http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747 Krira Shikkha Protisthan No
2 Ground, Savar.
The win was an upset by all means as Zimbabwe have been a better side in the tournament and also have a better record in the game of cricket.
Meanwhile, the success gave Japan at least something to carry from their participation in the tournament in which many flaws in their team were exposed.
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe chose to field first in a bid to restrict the minnows on a low target and with the Zimbabwean bowling line-up it was expected of their bowlers to rise to the occasion.
Coming out to bat, Japan had nothing to lose in the tournament now and thus batted without fear, the extraction of fear from them proved position as they for the first time in the tournament exhibited impressive shots all around the park without remorse.
Japan raced to 42 runs in early on before losing their first wicket when opener Ayako Iwasaki walked back to the pavilion after smacking nine runs.
Japan then lost their second wicket with 47 runs on the board when Zimbabwe saw the back of Japan’s number-three batswoman Shizuka Miyaji, who scored only two runs.
However, before Zimbabwe could bask in glory Japan skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ema-Kuribayashi-c55954 gave a stupendous performance and crafted steady partnership with opener Mariko Yamamoto as the duo posted 25 runs.
Nonetheless, it was the partnership between Kuribayashi and S Kubota which really shredded the Zimbabwean bowling line-up.
The two batswomen smashed a resilient partnership of 51 runs in the 5th wicket partnership as the Japanese left Zimbabwe complete flabbergasted.
In the end Japan posted 152 runs with Kuribayashi contributing 47 runs on the board.
Needing 153 runs to win, Zimbabwe needed a steady start to their innings, however, the African side were brushed aside by some phenomenal bowling from Japan which earned the fielding side a thrilling victory by restricting Zimbabwe on 146 runs.
Japan’s E Kuribayashi was named as the Player of the Match for her stupendous performance in the fixture.
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