Table of Contents
Top Headlines
- Japan and Hong Kong, China are meeting in the first T20I of a two-match series on September 19, 2026.
- The match is being played at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Sano, Japan.
- Japan won the toss and elected to bat first.
- Japan were 40/2 after 8 overs in the latest available live update, with Hong Kong yet to begin its innings.
- The two teams will meet again in the second T20I on September 20.
- Japan are looking for their first T20I victory against Hong Kong, China after losing their previous four meetings.
- The series is part of Hong Kong, China’s tour of Japan in 2026.
- The Japan Cricket Association has confirmed that both matches are being played at the Sano International Cricket Ground.
Japan vs Hong Kong Latest News Today
The Japan vs Hong Kong, China cricket series has become one of the notable Asian cricket fixtures on September 19, 2026. The first T20I is taking place at the Sano International Cricket Ground, with both sides preparing for a two-match contest.
The Japan Cricket Association confirmed that Hong Kong, China arrived in Japan on September 17, followed by an official training session on September 18. The two T20Is are scheduled for September 19 and 20.
Japan Wins Toss and Chooses to Bat
Japan won the toss in the first T20I and decided to bat. The latest live score showed Japan at 40/2 after eight overs, while Hong Kong, China had not yet started its innings.
Earlier in the innings, Japan lost Reo Sakurano-Thomas for four runs. Benjamin Ito was among the batters at the crease during the early stages, while the opening partnership provided Japan with an opportunity to establish a competitive total.
Because the match is still in progress, the score, individual performances and final result may change as the innings develops.
Previous Head-to-Head Record
The first T20I is particularly significant for Japan because Hong Kong, China have won all four previous T20I meetings between the teams.
The Japan Cricket Association noted that Japan had not yet defeated Hong Kong, China in a T20 international. Their previous encounters included three matches in the 2024 Men’s East Asia Cup, with Hong Kong winning each contest.
Available match records show Hong Kong winning the 2024 meetings by seven wickets, 27 runs and 34 runs.
The current series therefore provides Japan with another opportunity to compete against a more established Hong Kong side and build experience at international level.
Japan Cricket Team
Japan’s squad for the series includes players such as Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Makoto Taniyama and Wataru Miyauchi.
The team is also preparing for a historic T20I against India later this month as part of the 2026 Asian Games schedule. Japan’s cricket programme has consequently received additional attention during the current international season.
Hong Kong, China Squad
Hong Kong’s squad includes experienced players such as Nizakat Khan, Babar Hayat, Ehsan Khan, Yasim Murtaza and Anas Khan. The side arrives in Japan with recent international experience and will be seeking to maintain its unbeaten T20I record against Japan.
The team’s previous success against Japan gives the players familiarity with the opposition, although conditions in Sano could still influence the contest.
Second T20I on September 20
The two teams will return to the Sano International Cricket Ground for the second T20I on September 20. The Japan Cricket Association has confirmed both matches as part of the two-match series.
The series is also part of a busy period for Asian cricket, with several international fixtures taking place across the region during the 2026 Asian Games period.
