Japan vs Nepal Asian Games Preview & Tips - Nepal to make it consecutive Asian Games wins

Nepal started their Asian Games campaign in style as they easily beat Afghanistan in a five-wicket triumph. 

The pair have met once in the T20 game, with Nepal securing a five-wicket win back in 2025. 

Japan would have felt they were in the game after restricting Afghanistan to 129/6 as the latter saw four of their seven batters go at a run-per-ball or less. 

In reply, Japan started fairly well, making it to 53/2 after 7.3 overs. However, wickets began to fall regularly, with the nation going from 60/3 to 60/6 and 63/8. Their entire middle-order collapsed in stunning style as they slumped to a 48-run loss. 

If Japan had been able to stem the flow of wickets half-way through their chase then it would have been very interesting. However, in a showcase of the difference in quality between the pair, Japan fell away. I predict that similar issues with the bat will haunt them against Nepal as they make it successive defeats at the Asian Games. 

Nepal were excellent against Afghanistan in their opener as they not only restricted their opponents to less than a run-per-ball, they also managed to storm to a five-wicket win with 16 deliveries to spare. 

Nepal did rely heavily on the wicket-taking of Lalit Rajbanshi (3/13) and Kushal Bhurtel (4/21), with the other five bowlers going wicketless. When batting, Nepal rallied from losing their openers cheaply as they cantered to their target. If Afghanistan had posted a score closer to 125, Nepal might have panicked at 56/4, but their target was so modest that they cruised to victory. 

Nepal are big favourites against Japan and while this can sometimes see an upset, I do not see the latter winning this match. Japan were outplayed by an opponent Nepal easily beat. I predict more of the same in this one as Nepal make it consecutive wins at the competition.