Afghanistan, Nepal or Japan? India’s Asian Games Opponent Takes Shape

The Shreyas Iyer-led side, one of the four teams handed direct entry into the knockout stage, will face the runner-up from Group A at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi. Afghanistan, Nepal and hosts Japan are battling for the two available quarter-final places, with the final group fixture set to determine who finishes second and earns a meeting with India.

India’s quarter-final is scheduled for September 28 at 10:30 AM IST.

India to face Group A runner-up

The men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games is being played in the T20 format, with the preliminary round split into two groups of three teams.

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have already secured direct passage to the quarter-finals, while Afghanistan, Nepal and Japan are contesting Group A and Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman make up Group B.

India’s quarter-final opponent will therefore come from the Group A battle between Afghanistan, Nepal and Japan.

Asian Games Cricket Group A standings

The equation is particularly intriguing because Afghanistan have already completed their two group matches, while Nepal and Japan still have one game remaining against each other.

Nepal’s win over Afghanistan changes the equation

Nepal’s five-wicket victory over Afghanistan on Friday has left the group finely poised.

Afghanistan had already beaten Japan before losing to Nepal, finishing their preliminary campaign with two points. Nepal, meanwhile, now have two points from one match and will face Japan in their final group game.

The result means Nepal have put themselves in a strong position to finish among the top two, but their final position – and India’s eventual opponent – will depend on the result against Japan.

Scenario 1: Nepal beat Japan

If Nepal defeat Japan on September 26, they will finish the group stage with four points and move into top spot.

That would leave Afghanistan in second place on two points, making Afghanistan India’s quarter-final opponent.

Nepal would instead face Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals as the Group A winner.

Scenario 2: Japan beat Nepal

A Japan victory would produce a three-way tie, with Afghanistan, Nepal and Japan all finishing on two points.

In that scenario, the final Group A standings would be determined by net run rate.

Nepal currently hold a slight advantage over Afghanistan on NRR, while Japan are significantly behind after their defeat to Afghanistan. The result and margin of Japan’s victory over Nepal would therefore become crucial in determining which two teams advance and, more importantly for India, who finishes second.

The Group A runner-up will face India, meaning the quarter-final opponent cannot be confirmed until the Nepal-Japan match is completed.

India begin title defence in quarter-finals

India will enter the Asian Games at the quarter-final stage as they attempt to defend the men’s cricket gold medal won at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

The side is led by Shreyas Iyer and features a blend of established internationals and emerging talent, including Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

With India waiting in the knockout stage, the final Group A fixture carries significance beyond the preliminary standings. Nepal’s result against Japan will determine whether India face an Afghanistan side that has already completed its group campaign or another team emerging from a three-way fight for second place.

India vs Group A runner-up: Match details

The other quarter-final match-ups will also take shape once the preliminary-round groups are completed. The semi-finals are scheduled for October 1, with the bronze-medal and gold-medal matches to be played on October 3.

For India, however, the immediate question is simpler: who finishes second in Group A? That answer will only emerge after Nepal and Japan settle the final group equation on September 26.