Spinners construct Nepal’s fine opening victory

Nepal began their Asian Games 2026 campaign with a bang, picking up a memorable five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their Group A clash in Nisshin. Afghanistan struggled to find rhythm against an effective Nepalese bowling attack and could muster only 102/7 in their stipulated 20 overs, with Kushal Bhurtel and Lalit Rajbanshi sharing seven spoils between them. Nepal were rocked early in the chase but crucial thirties from Sundeep Jora and Rohit Paudel staged an upset win.

Bhurtel spearheaded the attack for Nepal, claiming four wickets for 21 runs in his four-over spell that included a maiden while Rajbanshi bagged figures of 3/13. Afghanistan were off to a sluggish start as Nepal’s spinners capitalized on the friendly pitch conditions.

Rajbanshi sent the top-three back to the pavillion inside five overs to reduce Afghanistan to 16/3 before a 39-run stand ensued between Faisal Shinozada and Najibullah Zadran. The duo made 30 each and both fell to Bhurtel towards the end of his spell. Shinozada’s departure sparked a mini collapse of 3 for 10 runs, never allowing Afghanistan any late surge. Zadran also stitched a 30-run stand with Nangeyalia Kharoti for the seventh wicket that eventually put their team on course for a three-figure total.

Chasing a weightless target of 103, Nepal encountered a few early hiccups. However, Jora and Paudel anchored the run chase, ensuring no further stumbles. Jora played a key knock of 34 runs to steady the innings, while Paudel anchored the home stretch with an unbeaten 33 in 32 deliveries. Jora perished at the halfway mark, with Nepal requiring another 47 in 60, and Paudel combined with skipper Dipendra Singh Airee to add 46 runs in 43 balls to eventually guide Nepal across the finishing line with 16 balls to spare.

Brief scores: Afghanistan 102/7 in 20 overs (Faisal Shinozada 30, Najibullah Zadran 30; Kushal Bhurtel 4-21, Lalit Rajbanshi 3-13) lost to Nepal 103/5 in 17.2 overs (Sundeep Jora 34, Rohit Paudel 34*; Faridoon Dawoodzai 1-10, Arab Gul Momand 1-13) by 5 wickets