Asian Games 2026: Nepal beats Afghanistan by five wickets in men’s cricket

File - Nepal team during the 2026 T20 World Cup. | Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

Nepal stunned Afghanistan in the men’s cricket event in a Group B clash at the Asian Games 2026 on Friday.

Chasing a 103-run target, Nepal got home with five wickets and 16 balls to spare at the Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin.

Kushal Bhurtel set up Nepal’s win as he claimed four wickets with his part-time leg-spin, while left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi contributed three scalps.

Afghanistan, which was without most of its mainstays, relied heavily on a pair of 30s from Najibullah Zadran and Faisal Khan Ahmadzai to huff past the 100-run mark.

Nepal’s chase was anchored by No.3 batter Sundeep Jora, who scored a 35-ball 34. Rohit Paudel and skipper Dipendra Singh Airee carried the side onto a comfortable win.

Nepal will now take on Japan in their final Group B match. The top two sides from the three-team group will advance to the quarterfinals. Afghanistan had beaten Japan earlier in the week.