Afghanistan vs Nepal, 4th Match, Group A – Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 Afghanistan and Nepal lock horns in a crucial Group A clash at the Asian Games 2026, with both sides eager to strengthen their knockout hopes in Japan.
The Korogi Sports Park pitch is expected to be on the slower side, offering assistance to spinners and making stroke-play challenging. The average first-innings score here in T20s hovers around 135, suggesting par will be in the 130–145 range depending on conditions. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bowl first to exploit any early moisture and then chase under lights.
Weather forecasts indicate cloudy but dry conditions, with temperatures around 25–27°C and low rain probability. Humidity may be moderate to high, which could help spinners grip the ball later in the innings.
This Group A fixture carries significant weight for both teams’ progression. Afghanistan, despite missing several senior stars like Rashid Khan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, remain one of the stronger T20 sides in Asia with a deep bowling attack and experienced middle order. Nepal, led by Dipendra Singh Airee, are buoyed by the return of all-rounder Kushal Malla and will look to build on their competitive showings in recent qualifiers.
Afghanistan come into this game as favorites on paper, but Nepal’s familiarity with subcontinental conditions and their improving T20 structure make them dangerous opponents.
AFG vs NEP Match Details
Match / League / Season: Afghanistan vs Nepal, 4th Match, Group A – Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 Date: Friday, September 25, 2026 Time: 2:00 PM Local (Nisshin, Japan) | 10:30 AM IST Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Aichi, Japan
Asian Games 2026 Live Streaming Info
Asian Games 2026 Country-wise Live Streaming & TV Channels
- India TV: Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 2, Sony Sports 3, Sony Sports 4, Sony Sports 5 Streaming: SonyLIV app/website
- Nepal TV: Kantipur TV HD, Action Sports Streaming: DishHome GO, Kantipur TV Digital, YuppTV
- Japan (Host) TV: TBS Television (free-to-air Asian Games)Streaming: Limited cricket-specific coverage
- USA & Canada TV / Streaming: Willow TV Alternative: Sling TV (with Willow add-on)
- Singapore TV / Streaming: MeWatch (free-to-air)
- South KoreaTV: KBS, MBC, SBS (free-to-air)
- Middle East (e.g., Qatar, UAE)
Live Streaming Info:
The AFG vs NEP 4th match will be live on Willow TV.
Live Score Info:
Afghanistan vs Nepal 2026: ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Head-to-Head Summary
Afghanistan and Nepal have met 12 times across formats, with Afghanistan dominating the rivalry.
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Total Matches: 12
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Afghanistan Wins: 11
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Nepal Wins: 1
Their only T20I meeting came in the 2014 T20 World Cup, where Nepal won by nine runs in a famous upset. In recent years, Afghanistan have won comfortably in most encounters, but Asian Games cricket often produces tighter contests due to squad rotations and conditions.
Team Analysis
Afghanistan
Strengths:
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Quality spin options in Nangyal Kharoti, Farmanullah Safi, and part-timers.
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Experienced power hitters like Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat in the middle order.
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Disciplined seam attack led by Arab Gul Momand and Faridoon Dawoodzai.
Weaknesses:
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Absence of frontline stars may reduce X-factor in crunch moments.
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Top-order consistency can be an issue against quality spin.
Key Players:
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Najibullah Zadran: Finisher with vast T20 experience.
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Karim Janat: Power-hitting all-rounder who can bowl handy seam.
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Nangyal Kharoti: Left-arm spinner crucial on slow surfaces.
Nepal
Strengths:
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Balanced all-round core with Airee, Kushal Malla, and Sompal Kami.
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Spin trio of Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, and part-timers suits slower tracks.
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Top order featuring Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh can provide solid starts.
Weaknesses:
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Death bowling can be vulnerable against big hitters.
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Lack of genuine pace may be tested if the pitch offers carry.
Key Players:
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Dipendra Singh Airee (c): Aggressive batter and useful off-spinner.
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Kushal Malla: Left-hand batter and left-arm spinner, key on slow decks.
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Sandeep Lamichhane: Leg-spinner with big-match experience.
Probable Playing XIs
Afghanistan Probable XI: Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Faridoon Dawoodzai, Khalid Taniwal, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Darwish Rasooli (c), Ismat Alam, Nangyal Kharoti, Farmanullah Safi, Arab Gul Momand, Mohammad Akram
Nepal Probable XI: Aasif Sheikh (wk), Kushal Bhurtel, Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Kushal Malla, Aarif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami
On a slow Nisshin surface, Afghanistan’s superior depth in spin and finishing power gives them the edge, but Nepal are well-equipped to keep it close. If the top order fires, Afghanistan should post 140+ and defend it with their varied attack.
Afghanistan to win by 15–25 runs or 4–6 wickets, depending on toss and first-innings total.
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