Aichi-Nagoya, 26 September (H.S.): Japan’s campaign in the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games came to an end after their Group A match against Nepal was abandoned due to persistent rain on Saturday. Nepal had completed its innings, but Japan never got the opportunity to begin its chase as the rain continued, resulting in the match being called off without a ball being bowled in Japan’s innings.

Nepal scored 149 for four in the allotted 15 overs in the rain-affected match. Sundeep Jora and Lokesh Bam struck impressive half-centuries to guide Nepal to a competitive total. However, persistent rain prevented Japan from beginning its innings.

With the result, Nepal finished at the top of Group A and advanced to the quarter-finals, while Afghanistan also secured a place in the last eight. Japan’s campaign in the tournament consequently came to an end.

Nepal’s innings was also disrupted by the weather. The start of the match was delayed because of rain, and play was halted again during the fifth over. Despite the difficult conditions, Nepal recovered well to post a challenging total.

Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla and Gulshan Jha were dismissed after brief innings, while Aasif Sheikh scored 21 runs off 15 balls. Jora, who came in to bat in the third over, shared a 55-run partnership for the second wicket with Aasif.

Nepal reached 84 for four after 10 overs. Jora and Bam then launched an aggressive assault during the final five overs, adding 65 runs. Bam remained unbeaten on 52 off just 22 balls, hitting one four and six sixes. Jora also remained unbeaten, scoring 57 off 32 balls with five fours and three sixes.

Japan needed 150 runs from 15 overs to win, but the team was unable to begin its chase because of the rain.

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan have now secured places in the quarter-finals of the Asian Games cricket competition. India will face Afghanistan on September 28, while Nepal will take on Sri Lanka on September 29.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar