The Nepal national cricket team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 20th Asian Games. The match between Nepal and Japan, held on Saturday morning in Aichi Nagoya, Japan, was abandoned due to rain, resulting in both teams sharing 1 point each and securing the top position in Group A. The group originally comprised three teams: Japan, which has now been eliminated, Afghanistan as the group runner-up, and Nepal as the group winner. Nepal will face Sri Lanka in the quarterfinals, while Afghanistan will compete against India.
For the fourth consecutive time, the match was reduced to 15 overs due to rain. Japan won the toss and chose to field, and Nepal scored 149 runs for the loss of four wickets. Lokesh Bam scored 57 runs, and Sandeep Jora remained unbeaten on 52 runs. Opening batsman Kushal Bhurtel scored 4 runs, Asif Sheikh 21 runs, Kushal Malla 2 runs, and Gulshan Jha also scored 2 runs. Due to persistent rain, Japan could not commence their innings, leading to the match being abandoned and the points shared. Nepali supporters present in Japan had gathered at Korogi Athletic Park in Nagoya to watch the match.
Despite the likelihood of rain before the game, a notable number of Nepali fans were present at the stadium. This marks the fourth consecutive occasion Nepal’s team has reached the Asian Games quarterfinals; however, the team has yet to progress beyond this stage. In previous editions—Guangzhou 2010 (China), Incheon 2014 (South Korea), and Hangzhou 2023 (China)—Nepal was defeated in the quarterfinals by Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and India respectively.
Captained by Dipendra Singh Airee, the Nepal team aims to win at least a medal this time. Their key achievement in becoming group winners was securing victories over both India and Afghanistan during the league stage. In the 2014 Incheon Asian Games quarterfinal, Nepal narrowly lost to Afghanistan, despite bowling Afghanistan out for 119 runs but falling short by 8 runs with a total of 111. This event marks the only meeting between Nepal and Afghanistan in the current tournament. By advancing as group winners, Nepal has effectively overcome the setback suffered against India in the earlier stage. Sri Lanka has also sent a strong team, and if Nepal defeats them, it will be an opportunity to avenge the 2010 loss.
