Match 5 | Asian Games 2026 Men’s Cricket | Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin | 26 September 2026

Expect Japan to keep faith with captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming at the top and two spinners in the lower order, while Nepal build around Dipendra Singh Airee and Sandeep Lamichhane. The hosts were bowled out for 81 by Afghanistan on Thursday, so a batting tweak is possible, but their squad of 15 leaves little room for surprises. Nepal won the only previous T20I between these sides. With two of three Group A teams advancing, this fixture could decide who goes through. 

Afghanistan Exposed the Hosts’ Batting Frailty 

Japan’s opener went badly wrong. Afghanistan made 129/6 in their 20 overs at Kōrogi Sports Park, then bowled the hosts out for 81 in 19.3 overs to win by 48 runs. 

Arab Gul did the damage with 4/8 on his T20I debut, and Nangeyalia Kharote added 3/19. Reo Sakurano-Thomas top-scored for Japan with 23, which tells you how little support he got. Mohammad Akram’s 34 was the best knock of the day. That result leaves Japan on zero points and chasing a response. Nepal, who face Afghanistan on 25 September in their first game, arrive fresher and without that scar tissue. 

Japan vs Nepal Asian Games 2026 playing XI 

Kadowaki-Fleming leads the side, and his record says he should open. He’s got 1,871 runs from 54 T20Is at a strike rate of 139.41, including two hundreds and 12 fifties. 

Alex Shirai-Patmore is the likely partner behind the stumps, with Sakurano-Thomas at three. The lower order leans on spin through Makoto Taniyama and Charlie Hara-Hinze. Batting positions below are estimated from recent lineups, since no team sheet had been confirmed. 

Carrying Wataru Miyauchi as a second keeper adds batting depth. Japan badly lacked that on Thursday.

Lamichhane and Airee Carry the Visitors 

Nepal’s probable side revolves around two players. Airee last played a T20I on 21 April 2026 against the UAE, and he arrives off a strong 2026 T20 World Cup with 58 against West Indies, 50 not out against Scotland, 44 against England and 17 against Italy. That’s 169 runs in four innings. 

His career record reads 96 matches, 2,180 runs and 60 wickets. Lamichhane brings 130 wickets from 72 T20Is at an average of 13.00, and his latest franchise outing brought 2/38 for Rajshahi Warriors against Sylhet Titans in December 2025. 

This lineup is compiled from recent reporting rather than an official sheet. Expect confirmation only at the toss. 

Hara-Hinze and Shirai-Patmore Hold the Key

Hara-Hinze has 45 wickets in 37 T20Is at 13.17, with a best of 5/6, and he was part of the Under-19 World Cup squad in 2026. He’s Japan’s most dangerous bowler. 

His last outing against Nepal, at Al Amerat in October 2025, brought 0/21 and an unbeaten 0. Earlier in that tournament he took 1/18 against Oman and 2/22 against Samoa, so he’s a real threat when he finds his length. Shirai-Patmore needs more from the bat. His 469 runs from 41 matches at 17.37, with a best of 52, isn’t enough support for the captain. 

One Previous Meeting and a Qualification Race 

Only one T20I separates these teams historically. Nepal won it on 10 October 2025 at Al Amerat during the ACC Men’s Premier Cup. 

The group maths are harsh. Group A has just three teams and the top two reach the knockout stage, so a second defeat would end Japan’s campaign. 

Nepal’s spin depth and head-to-head edge make them favourites, but Japan will look sharper if the top three bat longer than they did on Thursday. Whichever way the Japan vs Nepal Asian Games 2026 playing XI shapes up, the winner takes a big step toward the knockouts.                                                                                                                                                                         

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Nepal favourites to beat Japan in Nisshin?

Nepal go in as slight favourites. They won the only previous T20I between the sides on 10 October 2025 at Al Amerat, while Japan were bowled out for 81 in their opener against Afghanistan. 

Who is Japan’s cricket captain?

Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming captains Japan. He also led the side in the one-off T20I against India on 22 September 2026 and has scored 1,871 runs from 54 T20Is at a strike rate of 139.41. 

Where is the Asian Games cricket tournament being held?

Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, hosts every match. The men’s competition runs from 24 September to 3 October 2026, with Group A featuring Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal. 

Can Japan still qualify for the quarter-finals?

Yes, Japan can still qualify, but beating Nepal is close to essential. The top two from the three-team Group A advance, and Japan lost their opener to Afghanistan by 48 runs. 

How many T20I wickets does Sandeep Lamichhane have?

Sandeep Lamichhane has 130 T20I wickets from 72 matches. He averages 13.00 with the ball, and his most recent T20I came against the UAE on 21 April 2026.