The successful 2025 season wrapped up with the Shark`s Annual Awards night on November 29th and the JCA Awards on December 6th. Four of the Sharks players then headed off to Namibia in January for the U19 Cricket World Cup; Tim and Nikhil were playing for Japan whilst Ben and Kendel were on the coaching staff. February brought the start of our practice sessions at Akai farm, fielding sessions at Sammu, a new training kit, a new training kit sponsor, our annual AGM, plus the Thailand Men’s Open Series where three Sharks were part of the Japan men`s squad. The pre-season ended with 2 Friendly matches each against the Wombats and the Tokyo Dragons. With off seasons like these, who needs an on-season?!?

Awards Night 2025

Held again at the magnificent Siddique Palace under Tokyo Tower, the Sharks came together for an evening of fun, celebration and the obligatory microphone and projector issues. Mairaj took away a life membership, Muneeb regaled the audience with his Quiz, Nick gave one of the longest acceptance speeches in Sharks history, Dhugal collected a long overdue ‘most runs in a year’ award from the Chiba Sharks Ichihara period and  Timmy (almost) smiled.

Ghufi, Manav, Abhi, Rahul and Ben showing off their awards.

Dhugal and Nick enjoying presenting

Mairaj joins the Life Members

The Master Anton at work engraving the Sharks trophies – the envy of all other clubs in the JCL (they like the Trophies too)

A full house

Benny picks up a centurion award for his 130

Ichihara CC most runs in a season (2003) – the delay in our expenses refunds is nothing in comparison!

KB explains the history behind the Swimming Cup, from an era many of the 3rd XI remember fondly.

Takady and Timmy (sporting a mystery tash…)

Awards 2025 group photo, closing off the night

U19 Cricket World Cup 2026

Japan’s first ever appearance in the U19 Cricket World Cup was in the 2020 edition, with a number of current Sharks representing Japan at that event. In the 2026 edition, Tim and Nikhil were a part of the squad which saw Japan play group matches against Sri Lanka, Australia and Ireland, with warmups against the West Indies and Tanzania and a runner-up match against Tanzania. The mystery of Tim’s tash from the Award’s night was revealed when he shaved it off after the announcement of the squad…….a lucky tash….should have kept it until after the tournament…..

Japan take a bow with the Mascots

Pre Season Training & New Training Kit

One thing that sets the Sharks apart from other clubs is the dedication we put into training and practice. This year during February and March we held regular nets sessions at Akai-farm and SICG and fielding sessions at Sammu. The Sharks were also lucky enough to secure a new sponsor, Funabashi Orthopedic Clinic who have kindly agreed to sponsor our new training kit from this season. At one of our sessions the Sharks gave a special thanks to Yumi Ishimoto, founder of Akai Farm nets and a big contributor to Japan cricket and the development of a number of the Sharks players over the years, by presenting her with one of our special Champions 2026 T-shirts.

Marcus presents Ishimoto-san with a champions t-shirt

The Sharks at Akai Farm after a nets session

Eric and Muneeb model the new training top

Nuff said

AGM 2026

On February 15th members of the Sharks gathered in Chiba for the annual AGM. The 2025 finances were reviewed and the management plan and other important topics for 2026 discussed. Key outcomes were a necessary increase in membership fees, changes to remuneration for umpiring duty and the appointment of 2 new club officers – Manav as Webmaster and Hamdan as Personnel Officer.

Thailand Quadrangular Series

At the end of February the Japan men’s side travelled to Thailand for a 4-way tournament featuring Japan, Thailand, Bhutan and Bahrain. Ben, Kendel and Ibby were playing, bringing some Sharks style to the tournament in which Japan lost the final in a super over.

Pre-Season Friendlies

Our annual pre-season friendly against the Wombats was held on March 8th, in the bitter icy winds of Sano. When not keeping out the wind by sitting in the weeds, the Sharks did a fantastic job on the field, winning both matches; hopefully a sign of things to come for this years Shearer-Thurgate cup. On March 15th the Sharks also played 2 friendly matches against the Tokyo Dragons, in an event billed as the ‘Tokyo Bay Derby‘  The Sharks won 1 of 2 games and hope to make the derby an annual event.

Dave and Marcus sit out the wind

Ghufi taking shelter

Stump repair job – village cricket at its best (don`t tell Dhugal)

A chilly but victorious Sharks side