Japan eliminated from Asian Games men’s cricket after rain halts chase against Nepal

Japan were eliminated from the Asian Games men’s cricket competition after their first-round match against Nepal was abandoned due to rain before the chase could commence on September 26 in Aichi-Nagoya.

Nepal scored 149 for four in their allotted 15 overs, with Sundeep Jora and Lokesh Bam both hitting unbeaten half-centuries. However, persistent rain prevented Japan from starting their pursuit, resulting in Nepal topping Group A and advancing to the quarter-finals.

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Afghanistan also progressed to the last eight, while Japan’s campaign concluded despite promising performances in earlier matches. The target of 149 runs in 15 overs was challenging, even before weather interruptions occurred.

Nepal’s innings faced multiple rain breaks, initially before the start and again during the fifth over. Despite these interruptions, Nepal overcame a difficult middle phase to post a competitive total. Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla and Gulsan Jha all fell for single-digit scores, while Aasif Sheikh contributed 21 runs from 15 balls.

Jora, entering at number three in the third over, partnered with Sheikh for a 55-run stand for the second wicket. Nepal reached 84 for four by the conclusion of the 10th over, after which Jora and Bam dominated the final overs.

Bam scored an unbeaten 52 off 22 balls, including one boundary and six sixes, while Jora remained not out on 57 from 32 balls, striking five fours and three sixes. Their aggressive batting added 65 runs in the last five overs, setting a daunting target for Japan.

Japan had displayed encouraging spells during the tournament, notably with the ball in their opening game against Afghanistan, and had also performed competitively against India in a T20 International prior to the Asian Games. However, their batting proved to be a weakness.

With Japan eliminated, the quarter-finalists are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan. India will face Afghanistan on September 28, while Nepal will meet Sri Lanka on September 29. Pakistan and Bangladesh had already qualified for the quarter-finals before the competition began.