Japan were eliminated from the Asian Games men’s cricket competition on Saturday after their Group A match against Nepal was abandoned due to rain at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. Nepal posted 149 for 4 in a reduced 15-over innings, but persistent rain prevented Japan from beginning their chase [citation:1][citation:3].
The no-result left Nepal top of Group A with three points, while Afghanistan also advanced to the quarter-finals as the second-placed team. Japan finished with one point from two matches and were knocked out [citation:1][citation:2].
Jora and Bam Power Nepal
Japan won the toss and elected to field after rain had already reduced the match to 15 overs per side. Nepal struggled early, losing Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla and Gulsan Jha for single-digit scores [citation:4][citation:5].
Aasif Sheikh provided some momentum with 21 off 15 balls, sharing a 55-run partnership with Sundeep Jora for the second wicket. Nepal reached 84 for 4 at the end of the 10th over before Jora and Lokesh Bam took control [citation:4][citation:10].
Jora finished unbeaten on 57 off 32 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. Bam was more aggressive, smashing an unbeaten 52 off just 22 balls with one four and six sixes [citation:4][citation:5].
The pair added 109 runs together and helped Nepal score 65 runs in the final five overs to set a challenging target [citation:5][citation:10].
Chase Never Begins
Rain returned after Nepal’s innings and never allowed Japan to take the field. The match was abandoned without a ball bowled in Japan’s reply [citation:3][citation:5].
Japan had needed to chase 150 from 15 overs, a steep target even before the weather intervened. Their net run rate of -2.4 from the earlier 48-run loss to Afghanistan meant they needed a big win to have any chance of progressing [citation:4][citation:6].
Quarter-final Line-up Confirmed
The washout settled the Group A standings and confirmed the quarter-final fixtures. India will face Afghanistan, while Nepal await their opponent from the other group [citation:4][citation:6].
The quarter-final line-up includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan [citation:10].
Japan’s campaign ended with a loss to Afghanistan and a washout against Nepal. The hosts had shown encouraging spells in their recent matches but were unable to secure a win in Group A [citation:10][citation:12].
