Rain Ends Nepal’s Japan Game as Nepal Seal Top Spot in Group A

Nepal have advanced to the quarter-finals of the 20th Asian Games as Group A winners after their match against Japan was abandoned due to heavy rain in Nagoya on Saturday.

Nepal had reached 149 for four in a rain-reduced 15-over innings at Kariya Sports Park after being sent in to bat. However, heavy rain returned immediately after Nepal completed their innings, preventing Japan from starting its chase.

The result means Nepal finish at the top of Group A and will now face Sri Lanka in the quarter-final for a place in the semi-finals. Japan, meanwhile, have been eliminated from the competition.

Nepal entered the match on the back of a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan on Friday. Afghanistan, who finished second in Group B, will meet India in another quarter-final.

Jora and Lokesh power Nepal to 149

Nepal’s total was built around an aggressive partnership between Sandeep Jora and Lokesh Bam.

Jora scored 57 from 32 balls, while Bam remained unbeaten on 52 from just 22 deliveries. The pair added 65 runs from 30 balls for the fifth wicket, giving Nepal a strong finish after they had lost wickets earlier in the innings.

Jora struck five fours and three sixes during his innings. He was given a reprieve on 49 when a Japanese fielder dropped a catch near the boundary, with the ball eventually reaching the rope for four runs.

Bam completed his half-century from the final delivery of Nepal’s innings. It was his first half-century in T20 internationals. His unbeaten 52 included one four and six sixes.

Earlier, opener Kushal Bhurtel was dismissed for four from 12 balls, while Aasif Sheikh made 21 from 15 deliveries, hitting one four and one six.

Kushal Malla scored two from five balls and Gulshan Jha made two from six.

Japan’s Reo Sakurano Thomas, Ibrahim Takahashi, Jake Kusuda Narin and Declan Suzuki took one wicket each.

With the rain making play impossible after Nepal’s innings, the match was abandoned without Japan getting an opportunity to bat. Nepal now turn their attention to Sri Lanka and a place in the Asian Games semi-finals.