Japan Finalise Squad for 2026 Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup

Japan have confirmed their 15-member squad for the 2026 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe in January–February. Kazuma Kato-Stafford will continue as captain as the team prepares for its second appearance on the global stage.

Japan have been placed in a challenging Group A alongside defending champions Australia, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and West Indies.

The squad features the return of former captain Nikhil Pol and allrounder Timothy Moore, both of whom missed the Asian Cricket Council Premier Cup in Ajman last November–December. Despite failing to reach the semi-finals at that tournament, Japan produced notable wins — a 366-run demolition of Maldives after piling up 422 for 7, and a 183-run victory over Qatar.

Two of Japan’s standout performers from the Premier Cup — Nihar Parmar, who hammered 156 off 132 balls against Maldives, and Kaisei Kobayashi-Doggett, who struck 106 off 73 against Qatar — have also been named in the World Cup squad.

The team will depart for southern Africa on January 5 and are scheduled to play two warm-up matches ahead of the tournament.

The coaching group includes senior men’s team captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming as assistant coach and senior international Reo Sakurano-Thomas as head coach.

Japan squad for the 2026 Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup:
Kazuma Kato-Stafford (capt), Charles Hara-Hinze, Gabriel Hara-Hinze, Montgomery Hara-Hinze, Kaisei Kobayashi-Doggett, Timothy Moore, Skyler Nakayama-Cook, Ryuki Ozeki, Nihar Parmar, Nikhil Pol, Chihaya Sekine, Hugo Tani-Kelly, Sandev Aaryan Waduge, Kai Wall, Taylor Waugh.