Aichi-Nagoya [Japan], September 26 (ANI): Japan have been knocked out of the Asian Games males’s cricket competitors after their rain-hit first-round match in opposition to Nepal was deserted and not using a ball being bowled within the chase on Saturday.
Nepal posted 149 for 4 of their allotted 15 overs after Sundeep Jora and Lokesh Bam struck unbeaten half-centuries, however persistent rain prevented Japan from starting their chase, based on Cricinfo.
The end result noticed Nepal end high of Group A and advance to the quarter-finals, whereas Afghanistan joined them within the final eight. Japan’s marketing campaign got here to an finish regardless of exhibiting encouraging spells of their current matches.
Japan wanted to chase down Nepal’s 149 in simply 15 overs, making it a steep goal even earlier than the rain intervened.
Nepal’s innings was repeatedly disrupted by climate, with rain inflicting interruptions earlier than the beginning and once more throughout the fifth over. Despite the stop-start circumstances, Nepal recovered from a troublesome center part to put up a difficult whole.
Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla and Gulsan Jha have been dismissed for single-digit scores, whereas Aasif Sheikh supplied some impetus with a 15-ball 21.
Jora, who got here in at No. 3 within the third over, mixed with Sheikh for a 55-run partnership for the second wicket. Nepal reached 84 for 4 on the finish of the tenth over earlier than Jora and Bam took management within the ultimate 5 overs.
Bam smashed an unbeaten 52 off simply 22 balls, hitting one 4 and 6 sixes, whereas Jora completed unbeaten on 57 off 32 deliveries, with 5 fours and three sixes.
The pair’s late assault helped Nepal add 65 runs within the ultimate 5 overs and set Japan a frightening chase.
Japan had impressed in patches throughout the event, notably with the ball of their opening sport in opposition to Afghanistan. They had additionally competed effectively in opposition to India within the one-off T20I earlier than the Asian Games, however their batting remained an space of concern.
With Japan eradicated, the quarter-final line-up now consists of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan.
India will face Afghanistan of their quarter-final match on September 28, whereas Nepal will tackle Sri Lanka on September 29. Pakistan and Bangladesh had already secured their locations within the quarter-finals earlier than the beginning of the competitors. (ANI)