Asiad cricket: Match against Japan washed out, group winners Nepal to face Sri Lanka in quarterfinal

Nepal have reached the quarterfinal as winners of Group A in men's cricket at the ongoing 20th Asian Games in Japan.

Saturday's match against hosts Japan at Korogi Sports Park in Nagoya ended without a result due to rain, with both teams sharing one point each. The match, delayed by rain, was reduced to 15 overs per side.

Nepal, who lost the toss and batted first, scored 149 runs for the loss of four wickets. Sandeep Jora remained unbeaten on 57 off 32 balls, including five fours and three sixes, while Lokesh Bam hit six sixes and one four to score an unbeaten 52 off just 22 balls. Asif Sheikh contributed 21 runs. Four Japanese bowlers took one wicket each.

After Nepal's innings ended, rain returned and Japan did not get to bat in reply.

Having beaten Afghanistan by five wickets in their first match, Nepal topped the group with 3 points from two matches. Afghanistan, with 2 points, finished runners-up, while Japan have been eliminated from the competition.

Nepal will play Sri Lanka in the quarterfinal at 5:45 am on Tuesday, while Afghanistan will face India.

This is Nepal's fourth participation in men's cricket at the Games, and they have not yet gone beyond the last eight.