Al Amerat, Oman | October 10, 2025 — Nepal chased down a target of 132 to beat Japan by five wickets in a Group B match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Regional Final at Al Amerat on Friday. The win gives Nepal an important boost in the race for qualification to the T20 World Cup pathway.
Match snapshot
Japan 132/8 (20 overs)
Nepal 133/5 (18.0 overs) – Nepal won by 5 wickets
Japan innings – solid start, dramatic collapse
Japan got off to a promising platform through captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, who top-scored with 60 off 46 (5 fours, 3 sixes). He added 71 for the second wicket with Eesam Rahman (31 off 25) to steady the innings after an early loss.
By the 13th over Japan were 97 for 2, but the middle and lower order collapsed, losing six wickets for 34 runs. A late cameo from Benjamin Ito-Davis (17 off 12) provided some momentum, but Japan finished on 132 for 8. Japan’s innings also included 13 extras, seven of which were wides.
Nepal bowling highlights
- Gulshan Jha: 2–20 (4 overs) – key dismissals included Kadowaki-Fleming and Ibrahim Takahashi.
- Sandeep Lamichhane: 2–25 – broke partnerships and stemmed the flow of runs.
- Sompal Kami and Nandan Yadav: one wicket each.
- Dipendra Singh Airee: tidy bowling and involved in a sharp run-out.
Nepal chase – Aasif’s fireworks and Jha’s finishing polish
Nepal’s chase was paced smartly thanks to a quick start from Aasif Sheikh, who scored 38 off 21 balls (1 four, 4 sixes). He put on 27 for the first wicket with Kushal Bhurtel (21) to put Nepal in control early.
Captain Rohit Paudel contributed 18 before falling LBW to Sabaorish Ravichandran. Mini collapses saw Sundeep Jora (5) and Kushal Malla (4) depart cheaply, but Nepal kept composure at the backend.
Dipendra Singh Airee remained unbeaten on 14, and Gulshan Jha finished the job with 28 off 20 (2 sixes), guiding Nepal home in the 18th over with five wickets in hand.
“We knew the pitch would slow in the second half, and it was about pacing the chase,” a Nepal team insider said.
Turning points & tactical takeaways
- Japan’s middle-order collapse after 97/2 was decisive – good starts but no finish.
- Bowling depth: Multiple Nepali bowlers contributed, preventing Japan from building late partnerships.
- Finishing ability: Aasif’s early strike rate plus Jha’s composure at the finish were decisive in a modest chase.
- Extras: Japan’s 13 extras – particularly wides – allowed Nepal to stay on target without heavy risk.
What it means for the tournament
This victory strengthens Nepal’s credentials in the Asia & EAP Regional Final – a pathway to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The regional final is tightly contested and every win improves net-run-rate and qualification probability.
Quick scorecard (key performers)
- Top Japan scorer: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming 60 (46)
- Top Nepal scorer: Aasif Sheikh 38 (21)
- Best Nepal bowling: Gulshan Jha 2–20; Sandeep Lamichhane 2–25
