The Sharks have retained the Japan Cup, becoming champions for a second time by overcoming the Falcons after dominating the Japan Cup Finals weekend. In a season where our top players have had disappointment in Division 1 of the JCL, T20 Captain Abi has led the Sharks to another championship in the Japan Cup, without a single loss all season.

The Finals weekend started early on a sunny and warm Saturday at SICG 1 against the Alpha Quashers; this match being the first of 4 possible knockout matches – the `league` match. Unlucky for the Quashers the Sharks were in fine fettle and dispatched them with relative ease – bowling them out on the last ball of their innings then chasing down their total in the 13th over. One bit of controversy saw a Quasher’s batsman timed out, but the decision didn`t impact the result which was decisive. Top performers were Freddy and Manav with three wickets each and Nikhil getting 45 (not out) with the bat.

After the league win the Sharks faced off against the Tokyo Dragons in the quarter finals afternoon match. The result was to be another decisive victory for the 2025 champions, with Seamus having an incredible spell and taking 6 wickets. Somehow the Dragons held on for their full 20 overs, but it mattered little; in the chase the Sharks lost only 2 wickets and Ghufi hit 67. On a normal day a 67 in a T20 may get you the MoM – but not on a day when Seamus takes a 6`er!

The Sunday started with a semi final match against the Tigers – unlike the previous days games this was not an easy win, with both innings lasting the full 20, but the Sharks depth of talent kept them on top throughout. Manav took 3 wickets, and Muneeb 2 (for only 2.75 economy); Hamadan, Nikhil and Freddy also took one a-piece. On the batting front Benny hit 66 of 41 and Abhi 42. Seamus` radar was a little off following yesterday’s bowling heroics, but it made no difference and the Sharks knocked the Tigers – fantastic revenge for the JCL T10 Semi Final defeat.

The Sharks Line group was busy with anticipation for the Final after the Tigers win – and this time wasn’t just KB chatting with himself! The Falcons batted first but it made no difference as the Sharks bowling attack is just too good. Muneeb took a wicket in the first over to start off the demolition of the Falcons batting lineup and added the key scalp of Annand in his second. Muneeb went on to take 3 wickets, Freddy 2 and each of the Sharks other bowlers one a piece. The Sharks chase was not a high scoring smash-fest – the team respected their opponents and chased them down with discipline and control. All the batters scored and only 4 were removed, with the match being comfortably won in the 17th over. Lesser teams would have tried to smash a quick win and would probably have lost as a result – this win exemplifies the Sharks T20 side`s overall cricketing discipline under captain Abhi. In the chase Ghufi was highest scoring with a 26, followed by Abhi on 20. Ghufi`s 26, plus his stumping during the Falcons innings secured him MoM.

The Sharks face the Falcons again in the Final of the JCL T20 in a few weeks….lets hope for a repeat.