Japan looking to bounce back in PNG

Looking to return to the winners list at the up-coming Pepsi ICC East-Asia Pacific Division 1 tournament in PNG, Japan has made five changes to the squad that finished a disappointing last at the recent World Cricket League Division 7 event in Botswana.

Jarrad Shearer, Fumihiko Uegaki, Qureshi Naeemuddin, Hanif Khan and Razaq Cheema all come into the squad of 14 that will travel to PNG under the guidance of Japan Cricket Association High Performance Manager Christopher Ferguson.

"Botswana was a disappointing tournament for us and we really didn't play to our potential," said Ferguson. "We are now starting an 18 month program to prepare for World Cricket League Division 8 and PNG is a great opportunity to blood some exciting new players with an eye to the future."

Japan's build up to this tournament has been game based with their respective cricket clubs in the Japan Premier League competition.

One positive to come out of the event in Botswana was the rise of 18-year-old national player Raheel Kano who was awarded "emerging player of the tournament."

Kano, who captained Japan at the recently concluded U19 ICC East Asia Pacific tournament, held in Queensland, Australia is a promising leg-break bowler, and despite being the youngest member of his team will play a crucial role if Japan is to come away from PNG with success.

Like they did at the World Cricket League tournament, Japan will be promoting its new "Cricket for Smiles" campaign which aims to introduce cricket and provide new equipment to those children who have been affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that the country experienced earlier this year.

"The Japanese players are getting in behind the initiative and will be looking to put in some outstanding performances in PNG to bring smiles to the faces of their cricket supporters," said Ferguson.