Afghanistan and Nepal are set to lock horns in a crucial Group A encounter in Match 4 of the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games. The contest will be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, on Friday, September 25, with the match scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM IST. Both teams are competing alongside hosts Japan, with the top two sides progressing to the quarter-finals.

Afghanistan made a winning start to their campaign, defeating Japan by 48 runs in the tournament opener. The Afghans posted 129/6 before restricting Japan to 81, with Mohammad Akram, Darwish Rasooli and Mohammad Ishaq making useful contributions with the bat.

Nepal, meanwhile, have brought a strong squad featuring established T20I performers such as Kushal Bhurtel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Rohit Paudel and Karan KC. Afghanistan have opted for a younger group, with experienced internationals Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat providing leadership alongside captain Rasooli.

Here are 3 player battles to watch out for in Match 4 of Asian Games:

1. Kushal Bhurtel vs Nangeyalia Kharoti

Kushal Bhurtel’s battle against Nangeyalia Kharoti could be one of the most intriguing contests of the match. Bhurtel is expected to open the innings for Nepal and is capable of putting pressure on the opposition from the powerplay.

The right-hander enjoyed an outstanding campaign during Nepal’s Asian Games qualifying tournament, where he produced several substantial scores and demonstrated his ability to dominate attacks in the T20 format. Nepal will want him to provide another fast start against Afghanistan.

Kharoti, meanwhile, is one of Afghanistan’s key spin options. The left-arm spinner brings international experience to a relatively young bowling unit and could be used during the middle overs to disrupt Nepal’s momentum. He is also one of the more experienced players in Afghanistan’s Asian Games squad.

If Bhurtel survives the early overs, Kharoti’s introduction could provide Afghanistan with an opportunity to slow him down. The battle will revolve around Bhurtel’s attacking intent against Kharoti’s ability to change pace and bowl economically.

2. Sandeep Lamichhane vs Najibullah Zadran

The contest between Sandeep Lamichhane and Najibullah Zadran could be a fascinating battle between Nepal’s premier spin weapon and Afghanistan’s most experienced batter.

Lamichhane is one of Nepal’s biggest match-winners in T20 cricket. The leg-spinner has taken 141 T20I wickets and will be expected to play a central role in Nepal’s bowling attack. His variations, particularly his googly, can create problems for batters looking to attack during the middle overs.

Najibullah Zadran, on the other hand, has vast experience of playing international and franchise T20 cricket. He is one of the senior members of Afghanistan’s young Asian Games squad and can accelerate rapidly once set.

Najibullah scored only seven in Afghanistan’s opening game against Japan, but his experience makes him a player Nepal cannot afford to underestimate.

If Najibullah arrives at the crease while Lamichhane is operating, the Afghan batter’s ability to attack spin will be tested against one of Nepal’s most experienced bowlers.

3. Dipendra Singh Airee vs Karim Janat

The battle between the two all-rounders, Dipendra Singh Airee and Karim Janat, could have an impact in both innings.

Dipendra will captain Nepal and is expected to play a significant role with both bat and ball. He has been one of Nepal’s most consistent T20 performers and gives the team flexibility in the middle order. His ability to accelerate without taking excessive risks makes him an important player against Afghanistan.

Janat, meanwhile, is one of Afghanistan’s most experienced players. The all-rounder has featured extensively in international cricket and provides Afghanistan with both seam-bowling options and lower-order hitting. The Afghanistan Cricket Board selected him as part of a squad designed to blend emerging talent with a small core of experienced campaigners.

The intriguing aspect of this matchup is that both players can influence the game with bat and ball. If Dipendra bats deep, Janat could be asked to break his partnership with Nepal’s middle order. Conversely, Dipendra could be brought into the attack when Janat walks in, particularly if Afghanistan need to rebuild their innings.