Nepal Stuns Afghanistan at Asian Games 2026 Cricket; Rohit Paudel, Sundeep Jora and Bowlers Shine For The Rhinos
Nepal secured a historic first victory at the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket tournament, defeating Afghanistan by 6 wickets at Korogi Athletic Park, Aichi, Japan. Captain Rohit Paudel (45*) and Sundeep Jora (38) led the successful chase of 103. Kushal Bhurtel (4/21) and Lalit Rajbanshi (3/13) restricted Afghanistan to 102/7.
A historic day for Nepalese cricket unfolded at the Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi, Japan, as Nepal stunned Afghanistan in the 4th Match of Group A at the Asian Games 2026. You can find Afghanistan national cricket team vs Nepal national cricket team match scorecard here. In a tightly contested encounter that concluded on September 25, 2026, Nepal successfully chased down Afghanistan's target of 103, securing their inaugural victory in the competition. Fan Spots Bizarre Coincidence As Oman Fields 7 Players With Same Surname During Asian Games 2026 Cricket Match.
Nepal Stun Afghanistan
Nepal begin their Asian Games campaign with a stunning victory over Afghanistan 🤩
📝: https://t.co/JR6d8NTD2f pic.twitter.com/lRCwCu2k7R
— ICC (@ICC) September 25, 2026
Afghanistan's Innings Stifled by Nepalese Bowlers
Having won the toss and elected to bat first, Afghanistan struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Nepalese bowling attack. They were restricted to a modest total of 102 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The primary architects of Afghanistan's woes were Nepal's spinners, Kushal Bhurtel and Lalit Rajbanshi. Bhurtel was particularly impressive, claiming 4 crucial wickets for just 21 runs. Lalit Rajbanshi provided excellent support, bagging 3 wickets for 13 runs, effectively dismantling Afghanistan's middle order. For Afghanistan, Najibullah Zadran top-scored with an unbeaten 30, while Faisal Shinozada also contributed 30 runs, as they were the only batsmen to show resistance, helping their team reach a three-figure total.
Rohit Paudel and Sundeep Jora Steer Nepal's Chase
Chasing 103 for victory, Nepal's innings began cautiously. However, a crucial partnership between captain Rohit Paudel, 24, and the talented Sundeep Jora, 24, turned the tide in Nepal's favor. The duo displayed maturity beyond their years, absorbing early pressure before accelerating with calculated risks. Paudel led from the front with a composed 45 not out off 35 balls, showcasing his ability to anchor the innings. Jora, known for his aggressive strokeplay, complemented his captain perfectly with a swift 38 runs off 28 deliveries. Their partnership ensured Nepal reached the target comfortably, finishing at 103 for 4 wickets in 17.1 overs. Asian Games 2026 Men's Cricket Points Table Updated: NEP Hand AFG First Loss, HKC Earn Maiden Win.
Key Performances
| Player | Team | Role | Performance (Batting/Bowling) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kushal Bhurtel | Nepal | Bowler | 4/21 |
| Lalit Rajbanshi | Nepal | Bowler | 3/13 |
| Rohit Paudel | Nepal | Batsman | 45* (35 balls) |
| Sundeep Jora | Nepal | Batsman | 38 (28 balls) |
| Najibullah Zadran | Afghanistan | Batsman | 30* |
| Faisal Shinozada | Afghanistan | Batsman | 30 |
The victory is a significant morale booster for Nepal in the Asian Games 2026, marking their first win in the tournament and setting a positive tone for their campaign. They will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming fixtures in Group A, aiming for a strong finish and a spot in the knockout stages of the competition.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2026 01:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
