Japan Opt To Bat Against Nepal As Rain Delays Start

Japan won the toss and chose to bat first against Nepal at Korogi Sports Park, but rain prevented the Asian Games cricket match from starting on time after the toss in Aichi, Nishin.

Toss completed, start held up by rain

Nepal lost the toss against hosts Japan in their second match of the ongoing 20th Asian Games in Japan.

Japan decided to bat first after winning the toss at Korogi Sports Park.

The match did not begin on schedule despite the toss being completed because of rain.

The fixture is being played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, according to the match information published ahead of the game.

NDTV Profit listed the Japan vs Nepal Asian Games 2026 match for Saturday, September 26, with the toss scheduled for 5:00 a.m. IST and the match scheduled for 5:30 a.m. IST.

IndiaFantasy’s preview described the match as the 5th match of the 2026 Asian Games between JPN and NEP at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin.

The same preview said the hosts, Japan, would be in action on the final day of the group fixtures of the Asian Games 2026.

Nepal eye group top spot after Afghanistan win

Nepal came into the Japan match unbeaten and on the back of a five-wicket win over Afghanistan.

Ratopati reported that Nepal began the competition with a victory by defeating Afghanistan by 5 wickets in its first match completed on Friday.

NDTV Profit said Nepal’s bowlers restricted Afghanistan to 102/7 before their batters completed the chase with 16 balls to spare.

Lalit Rajbanshi set the tone for Nepal with a spell of 3/13 in that match, according to NDTV Profit.

Kushal Bhurtel then claimed 4/21, breaking up Afghanistan’s middle order, according to the same report.

IndiaFantasy said Nepal’s win over Afghanistan in their Asian Games 2026 opener should give them enough confidence against Japan.

The preview also described Nepal’s triumph against Afghanistan as a display of the side’s growing maturity, with both bat and ball clicking in unison.

Nepal entered their second Group A match with momentum on their side after the five-wicket victory over Afghanistan.

Another win for Nepal would ensure they finish at the top of the table and secure a direct passage into the quarterfinals, according to IndiaFantasy.

Ratopati also reported that the Japan match was very important for Nepal to become the group winner.

If Nepal defeats Japan, it will become the group winner and enter the quarter-finals of the competition, Ratopati reported.

NDTV Profit said that if Nepal win, they will top the group, with Afghanistan moving into second place.

Japan face a must-win equation

Japan entered the match after losing their first group match to Afghanistan.

IndiaFantasy said Japan had suffered a 48-run defeat to Afghanistan in their opening clash.

That defeat left Japan’s Net Run Rate at, 2.4, according to the same preview.

NDTV Profit said Japan’s bowlers had produced an encouraging display against Afghanistan, with Ibrahim Takahashi taking 2/19 and Shoma Sugaya-Slater taking 2/18.

Those spells helped restrict Afghanistan to 129/6, according to NDTV Profit.

Japan’s chase was described as “a different story”, with the batting order unable to withstand the pressure and dismissed for 81 in 20 overs.

IndiaFantasy said the Nepal match was a must-win game for Japan to keep their slim hope alive for the quarterfinals.

The preview added that Japan would not only need to win, but defeat Nepal by a gigantic margin to finish among the top two in Group A.

For Kendel Kadowaki‑Fleming and his men, the equation was described as simple yet daunting: defeat Nepal and do so by a massive margin to climb into the top two of Group A.

Anything less would see Japan’s campaign end prematurely, according to IndiaFantasy.

NDTV Profit similarly reported that victory alone would not be enough for Japan if they beat Nepal.

Japan would need to overturn Nepal’s NRR advantage, according to NDTV Profit.

If Japan win by a smaller margin, Nepal will retain second place and progress to the quarter-final, NDTV Profit reported.

A sufficiently big victory could lift Japan above Nepal on NRR and send them through as the second-placed team, according to the same report.

IndiaFantasy called the match a do-or-die battle for Japan and said only a big win would keep their quarterfinal dream alive.

Quarter-final paths add weight to the result

The group result carries an immediate knockout-stage consequence for Nepal.

Ratopati reported that, according to the equation, if Nepal becomes the group winner, it will face Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals.

The same report said that if Nepal becomes the group runner-up, it will have to play against India.

NDTV Profit reported that the second-placed team from Group A will face India in the quarter-final on Monday, September 28.

Ahead of the Japan vs Nepal match, any of the three teams in the group, Japan, Nepal or Afghanistan, could finish second, according to NDTV Profit.

IndiaFantasy said a win for Nepal would seal their spot at the pole position in the group.

The same preview described Japan’s task as “impossible” because they not only needed a win but also needed to win big to secure a quarterfinal spot.

IndiaFantasy added that Japan’s qualification position looked quite uncertain at that stage.

Nepal start as favourites in previews

IndiaFantasy’s match prediction said the win probability meter was expected to lean in favour of Nepal.

The preview said Nepal started as the outright favourite in the game.

It also predicted that Nepal were expected to win the JPN vs NEP 5th match of the Asian Games 2026 at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin.

The basis of that prediction included Nepal’s five-wicket win over Afghanistan and Japan’s requirement to win by a huge margin.

IndiaFantasy said Nepal’s task was straightforward: maintain consistency, stick to their strengths, and carry forward the winning momentum.

It added that a victory would not only cement Nepal’s place at the top but also send a strong message that Nepal are genuine contenders in the competition.

One previous T20I meeting, Nepal ahead

Japan and Nepal have met only once in the international arena, according to IndiaFantasy.

That meeting was won by Nepal by 5 wickets.

The teams’ only T20I meeting came during the ICC Mens T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier 2025, according to NDTV Profit.

Nepal won that match by five wickets.

IndiaFantasy also listed the head-to-head record as Matches Played: 1, NEP won: 1, JPN won: 0, No Result: 0 and Tied: 0.

The IndiaFantasy preview said the previous meeting came last year in 2025 and saw Nepal win the game by 5 wickets.

The recent form line in the preview listed Nepal as W W W W W.

Japan’s recent form was listed as W L AB L L.

Japan’s batting and bowling requirements

IndiaFantasy said Japan’s batting unit, led by Kadowaki‑Fleming, needed to fire collectively.

The preview said Lachlan Yamamoto‑Lake, Reo Sakurano‑Thomas, Charlie Hara‑Hinze and Ibrahim Takahashi needed to step up with impactful performances.

Japan’s bowlers would also have to deliver with precision, restricting Nepal’s scoring opportunities and creating the dominance required to swing the NRR in their favour, according to IndiaFantasy.

The preview said tournament cricket can see momentum shift quickly.

Kendel scored 60 in the only Japan-Nepal meeting in the format last year, according to IndiaFantasy.

The preview described the Japanese skipper as a top bet for the team in the batting order.

Ibrahim was described as one of the premier all-rounders in Japan’s side.

IndiaFantasy said Ibrahim can hit some lusty blows down the order and also bowls off spin to good effect.

The preview expected Ibrahim to have a good game in either of the two facets in this match.

Nepal’s batting core and bowling strengths

IndiaFantasy described Nepal’s batting lineup as being spearheaded by Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel and skipper Dipendra Singh Airee.

It called that batting lineup the backbone of Nepal’s campaign.

The preview said the explosive stroke play of Kushal Malla adds firepower.

It also said the all-round contributions of Sompal Kami and Karan KC provide balance.

In the bowling department, Sandeep Lamichhane’s spin was described as Nepal’s trump card.

IndiaFantasy said Sandeep Lamichhane was capable of turning matches in Nepal’s favour.

Despite scoring a duck in the last game, Kushal remained Nepal’s main batter, according to IndiaFantasy.

The preview said Kushal had scored more than 500 runs in his last 10 T20I outings.

It described Kushal as Nepal’s batting mainstay.

Sundeep was unfortunate to get run out in the last game, according to IndiaFantasy.

He scored a much-needed 34 before being dismissed, and the preview said he would again be a key batter in the middle order.

Probable elevens listed in match preview

IndiaFantasy listed Nepal’s probable side as Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (WK), Sundeep Jora, Kushal Malla, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee (C), Gulshan Jha, Lokesh Bam, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi.

The same preview listed Japan’s probable side as Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (C), Benjamin Ito-Davis, Wataru Miyauchi/Tsuyishi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Alexander Shirai-Patmore (wk), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Makoto Taniyama and Shoma Sugaya-Slater.

NDTV Profit listed Japan’s squad as Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Alester Kadowaki-Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Alex Shirai-Patmore, Shoma Sugaya-Slater, Declan Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama and Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake.

NDTV Profit listed Nepal’s squad as Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Rajbanshi, Gulsan Kumar Jha, Nandan Yadav, Lokesh Bam, Sundeep Jora, Sher Malla and Kushal Malla.

Pitch, conditions and toss context

IndiaFantasy’s pitch and weather note for the 5th match between Japan and Nepal referred to conditions at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin.

The preview said that with a 9 AM start, seamers were likely to benefit from early swing because of moisture and humidity.

It said captains may prefer bowling first to exploit the new ball.

However, the preview also said chasing has historically been successful at the venue.

IndiaFantasy therefore described the toss outcome as pivotal in shaping Japan’s survival hopes and Nepal’s push for group supremacy.

In the actual toss reported by Ratopati, Japan won the toss and decided to bat first.

The start was then delayed by rain despite the toss having taken place.

Where to watch Japan vs Nepal

NDTV Profit reported that the Japan vs Nepal match would be available on Sony Sports Network in India.

It said live streaming of the Japan vs Nepal match would be available on the SonyLIV app and website in India.

IndiaFantasy also said online live streaming of the 5th match between Japan and Nepal would take place live on the Sony LIV App.

The same preview said TV streaming for the match would be available on Sony Sports Channels.

Match significance in Group A

The Japan-Nepal match is the second match of Nepal’s campaign in the competition.

It is also part of the final day of the group fixtures, according to IndiaFantasy’s preview.

Nepal’s first match was a five-wicket win over Afghanistan.

Japan’s first match was a defeat to Afghanistan.

That sequence left Nepal in a position where another win would make it group winner and take it into the quarter-finals, according to Ratopati.

It left Japan in a position where it needed not just victory, but a huge-margin result, according to IndiaFantasy and NDTV Profit.

NDTV Profit said any of Japan, Nepal or Afghanistan could finish second before the Japan vs Nepal match.

IndiaFantasy said Nepal’s win over Afghanistan had propelled them to second place in the group standings.

Another Nepal win would ensure a finish at the top of the table, according to IndiaFantasy.

If Japan win but do not overturn the NRR difference, Nepal will retain second place and progress to the quarter-final, according to NDTV Profit.

If Japan win by a big enough margin, they could move above Nepal on NRR and go through as the second-placed side, according to NDTV Profit.

The match therefore carries different stakes for the two teams: Nepal can secure group supremacy, while Japan must chase a large enough result to keep its campaign alive.

IndiaFantasy concluded that Nepal were expected to win the 5th match of the Asian Games 2026 against Japan at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin.