Asian Games: Rain Ends Japan’s Campaign as Nepal Advance

News Desk

NISSHIN: Japan’s Asian Games campaign came to an end on Saturday after rain washed out their entire chase against Nepal in a Group A match.

Nepal posted 149 for 4 in 15 overs in the rain-affected contest after being asked to bat first, with Sundeep Jora and Lokesh Bam hitting unbeaten half-centuries.

The match was interrupted by rain before the start and again during Nepal’s innings. Nepal lost Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla and Gulsan Jha cheaply, while Aasif Sheikh provided some momentum with a 15-ball 21.

Jora and Sheikh added 55 runs for the second wicket, helping Nepal reach 84 for 4 after 10 overs. Jora then combined with Bam to accelerate the scoring in the final five overs.

Bam smashed an unbeaten 52 off just 22 balls, including one four and six sixes, while Jora finished unbeaten on 57 from 32 deliveries, with five fours and three sixes.

Japan faced a steep target of 150 in only 15 overs, but persistent rain prevented them from starting their innings.

The washout saw Nepal finish top of Group A, with Afghanistan also progressing to the quarter-finals, while Japan were eliminated from the competition.

Japan had shown promise with the ball against Afghanistan in their opening match and against India in a one-off T20I before the Asian Games, but their batting struggles ultimately contributed to their early exit.