Sano, Japan: Japan, where baseball remains hugely popular, is set to host a historic cricket match on Tuesday, September 22, when the current T20 World Cup champions India take on Japan for the first time in international cricket.

The match will be played at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture as part of the ‘Suzuki Cup’. The event is linked to the launch of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan.

As the first international cricket match between the two countries, the fixture is being viewed as an important opportunity for the growth of cricket in Japan.

The match is particularly significant for Japan because it will be the first time the team plays an international match against an ICC Full Member country.

Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming has said that the team is not entering the match simply to be part of a historic occasion, but also to demonstrate its ability against a strong Indian side.

For India, the match will provide an important practice opportunity ahead of the Asian Games. India are the reigning T20 World Cup champions and will begin their men’s cricket campaign at the Asian Games directly from the quarter-final stage.

Japan will play its group matches at the Asian Games two days after the India fixture.

Cricket currently has limited popularity in Japan compared with baseball and football. Hosting a global cricket team such as India could provide an opportunity to increase awareness of the sport among local audiences.

The Japan Cricket Association also views the event as an important step towards developing cricket in the country and strengthening sporting ties between India and Japan.

The match will begin at 1 pm on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground.

The fixture has attracted significant ticket demand, with ticket sales reportedly almost complete for the event.