India to face Afghanistan in Asian Games quarter-finals after Nepal-Japan match fizzles out

India will take on Afghanistan in the men’s cricket quarter-finals at the 2026 Asian Games (Image: IANS) India will face Afghanistan in the men’s cricket quarter-finals at the 2026 Asian Games after Nepal dominated Pool A following a rain-affected washout against Japan in Nisshin on Saturday.The result confirmed the knockout stage lineup, with Nepal advancing as group winners and Afghanistan advancing as runners-up. India’s quarter-final against Afghanistan is scheduled for September 28 in Nisshin, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.

Nepalese explosive surfacing creates a washout

Nepal were asked to bat first and posted an impressive 149/4 in 15 overs with Sundeep Jora and Lokesh Bam making a late charge. Nepal were struggling at 84/4 after 10 overs before Jora and Bam changed the face of the innings. Ranked No. 3, Jora remained unbeaten on 57 off 32 balls, smashing five fours and three sixes.Bam was even more aggressive at the death, hammering an unbeaten 52 off just 22 balls, including six sixes and a four. Earlier, Aasif Sheikh gave Nepal a flying start to the middle stage as he scored 21 off 15 balls and put on a 55-run partnership with Jora for the second wicket.Nepal otherwise found it difficult to build momentum, with Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla and Gulsan Jha all scoring in single figures.

Rain ends the Japanese chase before it begins

Japan were set a challenging target of 150 from 15 overs, but their chase never got going. Persistent rain returned after Nepal’s innings and prevented Japan from taking the field. Since it was no longer possible to play, the match was ended.Nepal saw Nepal finish top of Group A, while Afghanistan progressed alongside them to the quarter-finals.After solving the group stage equation, India now focus on the knockout stage. The Indian side will face Afghanistan in the quarter-finals on September 28 in Nisshin, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals.