Sep 25, Kathmandu - Nepal defeated Afghanistan by five wickets in the men’s cricket tournament at the 20th Asian Games in Japan.

Chasing Afghanistan’s target of 103 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi, Nepal reached 104 for five in 17.2 overs. Sandeep Jora top-scored with 34, while Rohit Paudel remained unbeaten on 33 and Dipendra Singh Airee made 15.

Afghanistan, who elected to bat, posted 102 for seven in 20 overs. Faisal Shinozada scored 33, Najibullah Zadran made 30 and Nangeyalia Kharote added 17. Kushal Bhurtel took four wickets for Nepal, and Lalit Rajbanshi claimed three.

Nepal are in Group A alongside Afghanistan and Japan. Afghanistan had beaten Japan in the group’s opening match on Thursday. Nepal will face Japan on Saturday, with the top two teams advancing to the quarterfinals.

Nepal will meet either India or Sri Lanka in the quarterfinals. At the previous Asian Games, Nepal were eliminated by India at that stage.