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Japan Face Do-or-Die Test Against Unbeaten Nepal in Nisshin

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Japan must beat Nepal by a big margin at Korogi Sports Park on September 26 to stay in the Asian Games 2026 quarterfinal race. Nepal already sit second in Group A.

Hosts Japan take on unbeaten Nepal on the final day of the Group A stage at the Asian Games 2026, with a quarterfinal place on the line for both sides. The match, the fifth of the tournament, is scheduled for September 26 at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.

Japan enter the game in a precarious position after losing their opener to Afghanistan by 48 runs. That defeat pushed their net run rate down to -2.4 and left captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and his team needing not just a win, but a win by a large margin, to climb into the top two of Group A. Anything short of a heavy victory will end their campaign.

Nepal come in with momentum. They beat Afghanistan by five wickets in their first match, a result that lifted them to second place in the group. A second win would carry them to the top of the table and secure direct passage to the quarterfinals.

The two nations have met only once at international level, last year, and Nepal won that encounter by five wickets. Kadowaki-Fleming scored 60 in that game and remains Japan's most reliable batter at the top of the order.

Japan need runs across the order

For Japan to swing the net run rate back in their favour, their batting will have to fire as a unit and their bowlers will have to keep Nepal's total in check. Alongside Kadowaki-Fleming, the home side will look to Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Reo Sakurano-Thomas and Charlie Hara-Hinze for runs.

Much of Japan's hope rests on all-rounder Ibrahim Takahashi. He can strike big shots lower down the order and bowls off spin, giving the captain options with both bat and ball. A strong contribution from him in either discipline would go a long way toward the kind of dominant performance Japan require.

Nepal lean on Bhurtel and Airee

Nepal's win over Afghanistan showed a side clicking with both bat and ball. Their batting is built around Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel and skipper Dipendra Singh Airee.

Bhurtel remains the team's batting mainstay despite a duck in the opening match. He has scored more than 500 runs across his last 10 T20I innings, and Nepal will expect him to return to form against a Japan attack under pressure to take early wickets.

The middle order also carries weight. One Nepal batter made a useful 34 in the win over Afghanistan before being run out, and his role again looms as important in the middle overs. Kushal Malla adds power to the line-up, while all-rounders Sompal Kami and Karan KC lend balance between bat and ball. Leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane leads the bowling attack.

The equation is clear for both teams heading into Nisshin. Nepal need only to avoid a heavy defeat to top the group, while Japan must produce a commanding, high-margin win to keep their quarterfinal dream alive on home soil.

Asian Games 2026 cricket, Japan vs Nepal, Nepal cricket team, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Kushal Bhurtel, Korogi Sports Park Nisshin, Group A cricket, Dipendra Singh Airee

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