INDIA A WIN THE DP WORLD ASIA CUP RISING STARS WOMEN’S 2026 IN BANGKOK
February 24, 2026
THAILAND OPEN MENS T20I SERIES 2026
February 26, 2026
WINS FOR JAPAN AND BAHRAIN ON FIRST DAY OF THAILAND MEN’S OPEN T20I SERIES
A four team men’s T20I series played over just four days at TCG in Bangkok got underway today as Japan beat Thailand by 37 runs and Bahrain defeated Bhutan by four wickets.
The results on the first day confirmed the ICC World Rankings in T20I cricket where Japan (43) stand 14 places ahead of Thailand (57) while Bahrain (29) are the highest ranked team and Bhutan are the weakest team (77).
The Japan men’s team are developing fast with many of their players taking part in grade cricket in Australia while the team is benefiting from playing against teams in Asia as well as East Asia Pacific regions. Captain Kendel Kadowaki Fleming is an impressive player and he hit 50 from 44 balls as he shared an opening stand of 68 with Abhishek Anand who raced to 43 in 28 balls. The Thailand bowlers didn’t lose heart against a barrage of boundaries and Nopphon Senamontree recovered brilliantly with his left-arm spin to claim 4 for 26 after conceding 13 in his first over as he took three wickets in one over to get Thailand right back into the match.
Japan reached 157 for 6 in their 20 overs so Thailand would have had hopes of chasing the target after making a fine start as they were up with the rate after eight overs on 58 for one with the top three in order all finding the boundary with ease.But no Thailand batter could score more than Sorawat Desungnoen’s 23 as wickets fell regularly and the home side were restricted to 120 for 9 in 20 overs by the eight bowlers used by Japan. The home side were beaten by 37 runs but Nopphon could be proud of his figures and the Thailand top-order had provided a good start to their innings.
The afternoon match was much more low-scoring as Bhutan were bowled out for 191 in 16.5 overs as Bahrain showed they had a strong bowling attack as Ali Dawood returned figures of 4 for 11. Bhutan responded well with the ball as Bahrain lost six wickets in their chase but captain Ahmer Bin Nasir remained unbeaten on 26.
Bahrain and Japan look to be the teams to beat but Thailand and Bhutan both competed well and the Thailand Open Men’s T20I Series continues tomorrow with the final played on Saturday.