Men’s Asian Games Day 2: Nepal and Hong Kong, China win

Day 2 of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition saw Hong Kong, China and Nepal claim important victories in Nagoya.

Hong Kong, China bounced back from their opening loss to Malaysia yesterday to beat Oman by 41 runs and keep their quarter-final hopes alive, while Nepal marked the start of their campaign with a comfortable win over Afghanistan, who had beaten Japan in their opening match.

Hong Kong, China v Oman

Run-scoring continued to prove difficult in Nagoya as Hong Kong, China secured a crucial 41-run victory over Oman in the third match of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition.

After opting to bat first, Hong Kong, China struggled to build momentum but posted 121 for 8 from their 20 overs. Hafeez Khan top-scored with 33, while Babar Hayat contributed 23 in a 51-run third-wicket partnership that briefly steadied the innings.

Oman made early inroads through Sufyan Mehmood and Shuaib Al Balushi, who dismissed Nizakat Khan and Anshy Rath inside the opening three overs.

Hafeez and Hayat then combined to put Hong Kong, China in a more stable position, but Oman struck regularly once the partnership was broken. Mohammed Al Balushi finished with three wickets, while Yasim Murtaza (18) and Ehsan Khan (16) added late runs to push Hong Kong, China beyond 120.

Oman’s chase never got going.

Ayush Shukla tore through the top order in the Powerplay, claiming three wickets as Oman slipped to four down inside the first five overs. He finished with three wickets for 13 runs from his opening three overs, setting the tone for a disciplined bowling performance.

Shuaib Al Balushi offered some resistance with 20 from 26 balls, but his dismissal before the halfway mark left Oman in deep trouble. The spinners then tightened the grip, with Murtaza and Mohammad Ghazanfar combining for 2 for 19 from their eight overs.

Oman were eventually bowled out for 80 in the 12th over, with captain Sufyan Mehmood top-scoring with 26 from 35 balls,  as Hong Kong, China completed a much-needed victory.

The result keeps Hong Kong, China alive in the race for the quarter-finals and improves their net run rate after their heavy defeat in their opening match.

The qualification picture in Group B now depends on Oman’s final result against Malaysia. If Oman lose, both Malaysia and Hong Kong, China will progress. If Oman win, all three sides will finish with one victory and net run rate will decide the two quarter-finalists.

Afghanistan v Nepal

Nepal made a winning start to their Asian Games campaign with a comprehensive victory over Afghanistan, chasing down 103 after their bowlers had produced a disciplined performance in the first innings.

Afghanistan came into the contest with momentum behind them after beating Japan in their opening match, but they struggled to build another competitive total against a Nepal attack that kept the pressure on throughout.

Opting to bat first, Afghanistan lost their top three batters for single-figure scores to slip to 16 for 3. Faisal Shinozada provided some stability with a composed 30 from 33 balls, as he and Najibullah Zadran put together a 39-run partnership.

That stand briefly steadied Afghanistan, but Shinozada's dismissal triggered another collapse. Afghanistan slipped from 55/4 to 65/6 before Zadran held firm for a valuable 30. Nangeyalia Kharote (17) added some late impetus with a few attacking blows, helping Afghanistan scrape past 100 before they were bowled out for 102.

Nepal's bowling effort was led by Lalit Rajbanshi and Kushal Bhurtel.

Rajbanshi (3/13) set the tone with a sensational new-ball spell, striking in each of his first three overs to put Afghanistan firmly on the back foot. Bhurtel then took over in the middle overs, claiming four wickets for 21 runs and even coming close to a hat-trick.

With 103 required, Nepal's chase began with a brief wobble as they slipped to 12 for 2. But the modest target meant there was little need for risks, and captain Rohit Paudel helped settle the innings alongside Sundeep Jora.

Paudel (unbeaten 33) anchored the chase while Jora contributed a crucial score of 34, allowing Nepal to regain control and move steadily towards the target.

Afghanistan's spin attack could not replicate the impact Nepal's bowlers had made earlier, and Nepal completed the chase without major difficulty.

The result gives Nepal a winning start to their campaign, while Afghanistan's defeat leaves Group B finely poised after their opening victory over Japan.

Nepal will face Japan next on 26 September as they aim to seal a place in the quarter-finals.