KATHMANDU: Nepal, which advanced to the quarterfinals as the winner of Group A in the Asian Games cricket competition, will face Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
Nepal began its Group A campaign with a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan. Its second match against hosts Japan was shortened to 15 overs due to rain. Nepal scored 149 runs for the loss of four wickets after winning the toss and opting to bat, but Japan’s innings could not begin because of rain, resulting in the points being shared. Nepal finished top of the group with three points.
The quarterfinal between Nepal and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin at 5:45 am Nepali time on Tuesday.
Nepal’s first meeting with Sri Lanka: What are the chances?
Nepal and Sri Lanka will meet for the first time in a T20 international on Tuesday. The two teams were drawn in the same group at the 2024 T20 World Cup, but their scheduled match in Florida, USA, was abandoned without a toss because of rain.
The Asian Games quarterfinal will therefore mark their first on-field T20I encounter also have considerably more experience playing against top-ranked international teams. However, the team enters the Asian Games after losing-playing nation Afghanistan by five wickets after restricting them to 102 runs in the opening Group A match. Nepal then posted 149 runs.
Sri Lanka are ranked ninth and Nepal 14th in the latest ICC men’s T20 rankings, giving Sri Lanka a five-place advantage. Sri Lanka also have considerably more experience playing against top-ranked international teams. However, the team enters the Asian Games after losing all matches in a T20 series against England.
Nepal, meanwhile, have been producing strong results in the T20 format. During the Asian Games qualifiers in Singapore, Nepal posted high totals of 313 against China and 275 against Malaysia.
Nepal carried that form into the Asian Games, defeating Test-playing nation Afghanistan by five wickets after restricting them to 102 runs in the opening Group A match. Nepal then posted 149 runs in 15 overs against Japan to secure top spot in the group.
Sandeep Jora and Lokesh Bam have been among Nepal’s leading performers with also secured a place in the 2027 Asia Cup after winning the ACC Men’s Premier Cup. Although Sri Lanka hold a higher position in the rankings and have greater the bat, while bowlers including Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Rajbanshi and Sandeep Lamichhane provide key options with the ball.
Nepal have also secured a place in the 2027 Asia Cup after winning the ACC Men’s Premier Cup. Although Sri Lanka hold a higher position in the rankings and have greater international experience, Nepal’s recent performances could make the quarterfinal a closely watched contest.
Nepal’s performance in the group stage
Nepal scored 149 runs for four wickets against Japan in a match reduced to 15 overs by rain. Sandeep Jora and Lokesh Bam both hit unbeaten half-centuries.
Batting at No. 3, Jora scored 57 not out from 32 balls, including five fours and three sixes. Bam, who came in at No. 5, scored 52 not out from 22 balls, hitting six sixes and a four.
Opener Aasif Sheikh contributed 21 runs from 15 balls, while Kushal Bhurtel scored four from 12 balls. Kushal Malla and Gulshan Jha were dismissed for two runs each.
Comment