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Dubai: Japan has decided to field only its Asian Games team for the historic T20 International match against India to be played in Sano on September 22. Kendall Kadowaki Fleming, who is the highest run scorer in T20 International cricket for Japan, will captain the team in this match.

This match is being organized on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Japan, giving priority to preparations for the Asian Games, has not included in the team such players who are eligible to play T20 International under ICC rules, but are not eligible for selection as per Asian Games rules.

Kadowaki Fleming will have the responsibility of captaincy

30-year-old Kadowaki Fleming is Japan's leading batsman. So far, he has scored 1,871 runs in 55 T20 International matches at a strike rate of 139.41. He has two centuries and 12 half-centuries to his name.

Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki McComb are other players in the Japan team, who have experience of playing more than 50 T20 international matches.

India number one in world ranking, Japan at 41st place

India are the reigning T20 World Cup champions and top the ICC T20 rankings. On the other hand, Japan is ranked 41st in the T20 rankings. In such a situation, this match between the two teams is being considered an important opportunity for Japanese cricket.

Wicketkeeper Wataru Miyauchi and leg spinner Makoto Taniyama have also been included in Japan's 15-member team. Spin bowling all-rounder Jake Kusuda Nairn and fast bowler Tsuyoshi Takada have got a place in the team on the basis of their good performances in domestic cricket.

Japan will also play Hong Kong before the Asian Games

The Asian Games will begin on September 19, while the men's cricket competition will begin on September 24. Before this, Japan will play two T20 International matches against Hong Kong on 19 and 20 September.

In the Asian Games, Japan will face Afghanistan on September 24 and Nepal on September 26. The team will have to finish in the top two in the group to make it to the quarter-finals.

Competition under the agreement of India-Japan summit

This T20 match against India is being organized under the agreement made during the summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Japan is also considering this match as important for its preparation for the Asian Games.

Japan's 15-member team

Kendall Kadowaki Fleming (captain), Charlie Hara Hinze, Benjamin Ito Davis, Alastair Kadowaki Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Reo Sakurano Thomas, Alex Shirai Patzukiter, Sugaya McClain (wk), Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto Lake.