India edge Japan by two runs after final-over wide call is reversed

India survived a close challenge from Japan to win their one-off T20 international by two runs at Sano Cricket Ground, with a reversed wide decision shaping the final over. BBC Sport reported that the world champions made 32-4 in a match reduced to five overs per side before restricting Japan to 30-3.

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Japan's bowlers had put the hosts in position to pursue an upset. Seventeen-year-old spinner Charlie Hara-Hinze dismissed opener Abhishek Sharma first ball and finished with 2-17. India were struggling at 14-3 before captain Shreyas Iyer's 16 from 12 deliveries helped them reach their eventual total. That left Japan needing 33 for victory in the teams' first international meeting.

The chase also began with early setbacks. Japan reached just 8-2 after two overs, but added 17 across the next two to keep the contest alive. With eight required from the last over, Axar Patel was left to protect India's narrow advantage. Japan's innings included 12 from 12 balls by Kadowaki-Fleming, while Washington took 2-13 for India.

The disputed delivery came as Alexander Shirai-Patmore attempted a reverse sweep against Axar. The ball went down what would have been the left-hander's leg side in his original stance, and the umpire initially called it wide. Axar and Iyer challenged the decision, after which the two umpires consulted and reversed it. Instead of needing five runs from four deliveries, Japan needed six from three.

BBC Sport's account explained that the ICC's men's T20 international playing conditions change how wides are assessed when a batter switches hand or foot position for a reverse shot: both sides of the wicket are then treated as the off side. Its report indicated that this supported the eventual ruling, while noting the controversy over the way the call was changed following India's complaints. There was no decision review system available for the match.

Axar completed the over to secure victory and finished with 0-7 from two overs. Japan ended two runs behind India's total, narrowly missing a win over opponents they had never previously faced internationally. The fixture served as preparation for the men's Asian Games competition, which begins on 24 September.