The Nepal vs Japan men’s cricket match at the 2026 Asian Games ended Saturday, September 26, with persistent rain for the first time since August 20, and Japan could not start its chase. Nepal and Japan got a point each but the result was important to the Group A table.
Nepal had already defeated Afghanistan by 5 wickets on September 25, while Afghanistan had earlier beaten Japan by 48 runs. With Nepal and Japan sharing points from the abandoned match, the final Group A positions were decided.
Nepal Finish Top of Group A
Nepal came into this match needing a result to strengthen their position, but rain interruption eventually worked in their favor.
Nepal scored 149/4 in 15 overs after Japan won the toss and chose to field. Sundeep Jora top-scored with 57 off 32 balls and Lokesh Bam scored 52 not out from 22 deliveries.
Japan never got the chance to bat as the rain returned after Nepal's innings. The match was declared as no result, so both teams received one point.
Nepal finished Group A at the top with three points, having already grabbed two points from a five-wicket win over Afghanistan.
What Does It Mean for Afghanistan?
The result was important for Afghanistan because it confirmed their place in the knockout stage.
Afghanistan finished second in Group A with two points. They had beaten Japan by 48 runs in their opening match before losing to Nepal by five wickets.
The no-result between Nepal and Japan meant Afghanistan did not need another match to secure qualification.
As runners-up in Group A, Afghanistan now move to the quarter-finals.
Afghanistan to Face India
According to the official Asian Games schedule, the second-placed team from Group A was scheduled to meet India in the quarter-finals. As Afghanistan finished second, they will meet India on September 28.
Nepal, meanwhile, qualified as Group A winners and will meet Sri Lanka in their quarter-final on September 29.
The other quarter-finals are Pakistan against the second-placed team from Group B and Bangladesh against the Group B winner.
Japan Eliminated
For hosts Japan, the abandoned match put an end to their Asian Games men's cricket campaign.
Japan had lost their opening game against Afghanistan and therefore needed a win against Nepal to have a chance of moving forward. The no-result gave them one point but it was not enough to overtake Afghanistan or Nepal.
What Happens Next?
The Group A teams now go in different directions. Nepal win the group as group winners and Afghanistan get runners-up. Japan are eliminated.
Next up for Afghanistan is India in the quarter-finals on September 28 while Nepal faces Sri Lanka on September 29. The semi-finals are on October 1, and the bronze medal match and final on October 3.
The Nepal-Japan washout thus concluded the group stage without a winner, but clearly shaped the knockout bracket: Nepal took first place, Afghanistan the second qualification spot, and Japan's campaign ended.
