NISSHIN, JAPAN — Nepal booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Asian Games 2026 after rain brought their final Group A match against hosts Japan to an early end on Saturday.

Nepal had already done the hard work with the bat, posting 149 for four in 15 overs after the match was shortened because of rain. Japan, however, never got the chance to begin their chase as another spell of heavy rain forced the match to be abandoned.

The no-result was enough for Nepal to finish top of Group A, setting up a quarter-final meeting with Sri Lanka on September 29. Afghanistan also progressed from the group and will face India.

Jora and Bam change the game

Nepal were asked to bat first, but their innings did not begin smoothly.

Kushal Bhurtel struggled to get going and was dismissed for 4 from 12 balls. Aasif Sheikh provided more momentum with 21 from 15 deliveries, including a four and a six, but Nepal continued to lose wickets at regular intervals.

Kushal Malla and Gulshan Jha both made two, leaving Nepal at 84 for four after 10 overs.

At that stage, Nepal needed a strong finish.

Sundeep Jora and Lokesh Bam delivered exactly that.

Jora continued his good form with a composed 57 not out from 32 balls, striking five fours and three sixes. He held the innings together while Nepal searched for late acceleration.

Bam then took over.

The right-hander smashed 52 not out from just 22 balls, hitting one four and six sixes. His aggressive finish lifted Nepal from 84 for four to 149 for four.

Jora and Bam added an unbeaten 65 runs for the fifth wicket, giving Nepal a strong total in the shortened contest.

Japan were left needing 150 from 15 overs, a required rate of 10 runs per over.

But their chase never began.

Rain ends the contest

Soon after Nepal completed their innings, the weather worsened again.

Persistent rain prevented Japan from taking the field, and the match was eventually declared a no-result.

The abandoned game meant Nepal and Afghanistan advanced from Group A, while Japan were eliminated.

For Nepal, the washout completed an unbeaten group stage.

They had opened their Asian Games campaign with a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan before taking a point from the abandoned match against Japan.

Those results were enough to secure first place in the group.

Sri Lanka next for Nepal

The challenge becomes much tougher from here.

As Group A winners, Nepal will face Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals on September 29. Victory would take Nepal into the semi-finals and move them one step closer to an Asian Games medal.

Nepal can take confidence from two very different group-stage performances.

Against Afghanistan, the bowlers controlled the game. Against Japan, Jora and Bam showed how dangerous Nepal can be with the bat when they find momentum.

The quarter-final will demand an even more complete performance.

For now, Nepal have achieved their first objective in Japan — finishing top of the group and keeping their Asian Games medal hopes alive.

Brief score: Nepal 149/4 in 15 overs (Sundeep Jora 57 not out, Lokesh Bam 52 not out, Aasif Sheikh 21); Japan did not bat. Match abandoned due to rain. Nepal advance to the quarter-finals as Group A winners.