Rain sends Japan and Oman out as Nepal, Afghanistan and Malaysia reach Asian Games quarterfinals

Washouts decide the final Asian Games group berths

Rain determined the final qualification picture in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket competition, eliminating Japan and Oman while sending Nepal, Afghanistan, Malaysia and Hong Kong, China through to the quarterfinals.

The Group A match between hosts Japan and Nepal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin was abandoned after rain, giving both sides a point. That result was not enough for Japan, which finished its campaign with a solitary point, while Nepal and Afghanistan progressed to the knockout stage.

Nepal batter Lokesh Bam during his unbeaten half-century against Japan

Nepal post 149 in shortened innings

Nepal had already made a strong statement before the second rain interruption. In a contest reduced to 15 overs, they were asked to bat first and reached 149 for four, powered by unbeaten half-centuries from Sundeep Jora and Lokesh Bam.

Nepal lost Kushal Bhurtel for four from 12 balls, but Jora quickly shifted the momentum with a six and a four in the fourth over. He raced to 30 from 16 deliveries, while Aasif Sheikh helped establish a 50-run partnership before falling to Jake Kusuda-Nairn.

Kushal Malla and Gulsan Jha were both dismissed for two, but Jora continued to attack. Bam began his innings with a boundary and then struck consecutive sixes off Declan Suzuki-McComb. Jora completed his half-century before Bam took over, hitting four sixes across the final two overs to finish unbeaten on 52 from 22 balls. Jora remained not out on 57.

Further rain then brought the match to an abrupt end, leaving Nepal with the points needed to advance and Japan eliminated.

Oman eliminated after Group B washout

Rain also ended the Group B fixture between Malaysia and Oman before the toss. The washout gave both teams a point, but Malaysia’s three-point total was enough to secure top spot in the group. Hong Kong, China also advanced, while Oman bowed out with one point.

Quarterfinal lineup confirmed

Malaysia will face Bangladesh, while Nepal will meet Sri Lanka on Tuesday, September 29. Afghanistan will play India on Monday in a repeat of the 2023 final in Hangzhou. The remaining quarterfinal will see Hong Kong, China take on Pakistan.

Brief score: Nepal 149/4 in 15 overs (Sundeep Jora 57*, Lokesh Bam 52*; Reo Sakurano-Thomas 1/7, Declan Suzuki-McComb 1/19) vs Japan. No result due to rain.