Japan vs Nepal Cricket Clash at Asian Games Could Decide Quarter-Final Path
Host Japan and Nepal are contesting a decisive group-stage T20 cricket match at the Asian Games, with the winner's quarter-final opponent hanging in the balance.
The match and context
As part of the men's T20 cricket competition at the ongoing 20th Asian Games in Japan, hosts Japan face Nepal on Saturday. The match is being played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, according to Ratopati.
Sources disagree on the toss outcome: Ratopati reports that Japan won the toss and chose to bat first, while India Today states that Japan elected to field, meaning Nepal would have batted first. India Today's live scoreline - Nepal reaching 84 runs for 4 wickets after 10 overs, with Sundeep Jora at the crease - supports the version in which Nepal was batting.
Ratopati also notes that the start of the match was delayed by rain.
Previous results
This is Nepal's second match of the tournament. On Friday, Nepal won its opening match by defeating Afghanistan by 5 wickets, while Japan lost its first match to Afghanistan.
Why it matters
According to Ratopati, Saturday's result is crucial for the group standings. If Nepal beats Japan, it will finish as group winner and face Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals. If Nepal finishes as runner-up, it will instead play India in the quarter-finals.
Squads
India Today published both line-ups. Japan is captained by Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, with Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Wataru Miyauchi, Shirai-Patmore (wicketkeeper), Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Ibrahim Takahashi, Declan Suzuki, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Shoma Sugaya-Slater and Charlie Hara-Hinze. Nepal's squad includes Kushal Bhurtel, Rohit Paudel, Sundeep Jora, Lokesh Bam, Aasif Sheikh (wicketkeeper), Kushal Malla, Gulshan Jha, Dipendra Singh Airee (captain), Sompal Kami, Lalit Rajbanshi and Sandeep Lamichhane.
