Nepal vs Japan Live ಸ್ಕೋರ್, Match 5 of Asian Games Men’s T20I, 2026

Not how anyone wanted it to end - There was rain to kick things off, and we had a delayed start by an hour. The players and the umpires pushed on and managed to complete the first innings amidst some late rain, in which Nepal showed their might with the bat after a decent start with the ball from Japan. It was a must-win game for Japan, but they will not get the opportunity to try and chase. This means Nepal top this group with 3 points to their name and keep their hopes of a medal alive. That is it then from this game, but there's one more game to follow. Malaysia lock horns with Oman, scheduled to begin at 5 am GMT. There's plenty of rain around, but there's plenty of time before that game, so let's hope that the weather clears up and we get a completed contest. Malaysia do have a win under their belt, but Oman need to win if they are to have a shot at making it through to the next round. For now, it's goodbye from us. Take care.

2.40 am GMT - We have dreaded news from the Korogi Athletic Park. The game has been ABANDONED DUE TO RAIN. A very tough blow to hosts Japan, who do get a point, but crash out of the competition as Afghanistan and Nepal move on to the quarterfinals from this group.

Game stopped due to : Rain Stoppage

2.26 am GMT - It doesn't look good at all, as it is absolutely bucketing down now in Nisshin. So fair to say, the run chase will be delayed and we might also lose a few more overs with DLS coming into play as well. With the way it is raining right now, this could be a long delay.

Massive task ahead for Japan - The dampness has made conditions greasy, creating challenges for both bowling and fielding. Japan, however, remained sharp in the field for most of the innings, but a couple of costly drops cost them heavily as 59 runs came in the last 4 overs. With Nepal boasting more quality and experience in their bowling attack, they will be eager to strike early and shut the door on any hopes of a Japanese comeback. Stay tuned for the run chase and let's pray that rain stops soon.

A sparkling late surge - The early rain did little to soften the pitch's challenge. The seamers found good bounce and carry, while the spinners extracted enough turn to keep the batters wary. Japan struck first, but Aasif Sheikh and Sundeep Jora responded with a bold 55-run stand that briefly put Nepal back on track. Japan then clawed their way back with three quick wickets, dragging Nepal from 62/1 to 84/4 and leaving Jora stranded at one end. Just when Nepal seemed to be losing momentum, Lokesh Bam arrived in blazing form. His sparkling 22-ball fifty lifted Nepal to 149, putting them firmly in the ascendancy.

Quarter-final spot confirmed? To be fair, Nepal's strong finish has put them in an excellent position. They now look set to top Group A and secure their place in the quarter-finals. This is also the highest score in the 2026 Asian Games by any team in the men's competition. Japan, on the other hand, did start decently with the ball, but they leaked plenty of runs in the backend. And unfortunately, the rain is getting heavier by the minute and as the players rush off the field, the groundsmen haul in the covers to protect the pitch and the squares.

SIX! What a way to end the innings! 18 off the final over, and Nepal finish with 149/4 on the board. Tossed up around off, Lokesh Bam shuffles across to get inside the line and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for yet another biggie. Bam also brings up a maiden T20I FIFTY, off just 22 balls.

Flatter one around off, Jora stays put and heaves it away, but without much timing and down to long on for one more.

Into the pitch, hit away off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Oh, nearly a terrible collision and that's another catching chance gone down. Flighted ball around off, Lokesh Bam goes hard at it and miscues the lofted shot towards mid off. The long off fielder runs in and the extra cover fielder gets across to his right as well. Both have eyes on the ball and the long off fielder nearly has it in his grab, but his knee catches the face of the other fielder and both fall over. The ball spills down and Bam gets a brace.

Good work in the deep. Flatter one around off, swatted away off the inside half of the blade to the left of deep square leg. The fielder dives across and saves a couple of runs for his team.

SIX! Lokesh Bam is powering through at the death. Floated up outside off, Bam gets across to the off side and swings it away handsomely in front of deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Nepal have smashed 41 runs in the last 3 overs. 150 on the cards? Ibrahim Takahashi (2-0-22-1) to bowl the last over of the first innings.

On a length and outside off, punched down to long off for a single.

DROPPED AND SIX! Not an easy chance by any means, but the bowler will be a bit disheartened. Drifted onto the stumps, Bam moves inside the line and sweeps it high towards deep square leg. The fielder over there is right on the ropes, and he has the wind and rain to deal with, and ends up spilling it off his body and onto the ropes.

Good work behind the stumps. Fired in just outside off, Bam goes down to sweep but misses. Shirai-Patmore does well to collect it as it bounces awkwardly and whips off the bails. There is an appeal for stumping, but the leg umpire turns it down as the batter has his back foot inside the crease.

SIX! That's well struck. Tossed up outside off, Lokesh Bam extends the arms out and gets to the pitch of the ball, whacking it over long off for a biggie.

Flat and into the pitch, outside off. Jora rocks back and swings too hard at it, mistiming it badly down to long on for a run more.

A bit shorter, darted back into the right-hander. Bam backs away and stabs it behind point for a run.

The rain has intensified once again, with the ground staff ready to bring the covers on. The umbrellas are up in the stands as well, but play continues for now. And as we speak, the rain has eased up significantly already. Charlie Hara-Hinze (2-0-15-0) will bowl the penultimate over.

Tossed up on off, pushed down to long off for a single.

WIDE! The bowler is livid with the umpire's decision. A close call. Bam sets up for the reverse sweep and Ito-Davis smartly fires it wide of the off stump, flirting with the tramline. Bam misses and a wide is called.

Shorter in length again, pulled away off the back foot in front of square leg for a single.

Dragged short around off, Bam stands tall and slaps it flat on the bounce to sweeper cover for a single.

Short and outside off, this is punched off the back foot behind cover-point for a single.

DROPPED AND FOUR! Sundeep Jora's heart would have been in his mouth, and he really should have been out. However, he gets a deserved slice of luck, and brings up his FIFTY in 28 balls. Floated up on the stumps, slogged away off the top edge of the bat down to deep mid-wicket, where the fielder tries to reverse cup it but falls over and fumbles it onto the ropes.

Floated up outside off, Bam goes for the reverse sweep, but gets it off the arm and past the keeper for a leg bye.

3 overs left in the first innings, and Nepal are placed very well for a strong finish. Anything beyond 130 would be really challenging for Japan in the chase. Benjamin Ito-Davis (2-0-14-0) is back to bowl out.

Beaten! Good-length delivery, just outside off, and the ball holds its line. Sundeep Jora's feet go nowhere as he looks to push at it and gets beaten on the outside edge.