{
  "id": 9120297,
  "title": "Umpires reverse wide call as India survive scare to beat Japan by two runs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/umpires-reverse-wide-call-as-india-survive-scare-to-beat-japan-by-two",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T09:51:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2031831/umpires-reverse-wide-call-as-india-survive-scare-to-beat-japan-by-two-runs"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India avoided a significant setback on Tuesday when umpires overturned a controversial wide call in the final over, securing a two-run win over Japan in a wet, reduced-over T20 International at the Sano International Cricket Ground. The match, which was limited to five overs per side due to rain, saw India bat first and struggle on a challenging surface, managing just 32 for four. Captain Shreyas Iyer top-scored with 16, while Japan's spinners capitalized on the conditions. Chasing 33, Japan required eight runs from the last over. Axar Patel was tasked with this crucial over. Tensions rose when umpire Chris Thurgate signaled a couple of deliveries as wide, sparking disagreement from left-hander Alexander Shirai-Patmore and wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. Iyer then consulted square-leg umpire Chris Brown, who, after a discussion, reversed the second wide call, ruling it a legitimate delivery. Japan's batting faltered thereafter, finishing on 30 for three. India won by two runs, marking one of their closest finishes in T20I history. If the original wide decision had stood, Japan would have gained an extra run and a ball, with the match decided by the narrowest of margins. The intervention proved decisive in preventing a shocking upset for the world champions against the associate team. Washington Sundar took 2 for 13 for India, while Axar conceded just seven runs from his two overs. Japan's Charlie Hara-Hinze took 2 for 17. The one-off fixture was part of both teams' preparations for the upcoming Asian Games.",
  "summary": "India escaped a major embarrassment on Tuesday when umpires overturned a contentious wide decision in the final over, helping the visitors cling on for a two-run victory against hosts Japan in a rain-reduced historic one-off T20 International. The match at the Sano International Cricket Ground was cut to five overs a side because of a wet outfield. India, electing to bat, struggled on a slow,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ESPNcricinfo",
        "title": "India bat first in five-over shootout against Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/india-bat-first-in-five-over-shootout-against-japan",
        "published": "2026-09-22T07:08:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "India survive huge Japan scare, win by two runs in historic T20I",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/india-survive-huge-japan-scare-win-by-two-runs-in-historic-t20i",
        "published": "2026-09-22T08:21:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "A celebration of friendship between Japan and India with cricket as the backdrop",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/a-celebration-of-friendship-between-japan-and-india-with-cricket-as",
        "published": "2026-09-22T09:51:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "A warning or wake-up call? India sweat to beat Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/a-warning-or-wake-up-call-india-sweat-to-beat-japan",
        "published": "2026-09-22T09:56:24.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}