Japan’s cricket team qualified for the ICC U19 World Cup for the first time ever after they were announced as winners of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup EAP Qualifier (East Asia-Pacific Regional). The final of the tournament was to be held between Japan and Papua New Guinea (PNG). And unfortunately, PNG could not field its team in the final after the country’s Cricket board suspended 11 of its 14 squad members "for internal disciplinary reasons and failing to adhere to our strict codes of conduct.” Cricket PNG said in a statement issued on Facebook. ICC Cricket World Cup 2019- Full Coverage.

Meanwhile, Japan will travel to South Africa in early 2020 to participate in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup. This will be Japan’s first appearance at a Cricket World Cup at a senior or junior level.

Interestingly, this was Japan’s first participation in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup EAP Qualifier since 2011. Before 2011, Japan participated only twice in 2007 and 2009. And this year it was their fourth appearance. As per ESPNCricinfo, the Japan Cricket Association was first established in 1984 and the country became an ICC Associate Member in 1995. Sri Lankan Fans Take Lessons From Japan, Clean Stadium After a Loss With South Africa (Watch Video).

The 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup scheduled to be held in South Africa from 17 January 17 to February 09. A total of 16 teams will participate in the U19 Cricket World Cup 2020.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 11, 2019 11:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).