Afghanistan vs Nepal: Everything to Know Before the Asian Games 2026 Match

Cricket fans are set for an interesting Group A contest as Afghanistan vs Nepal takes place in the Asian Games 2026. The match is scheduled for Friday, September 25, at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.

The game will start at 2:00 PM local time, which is 10:30 AM IST. For viewers in India, the match is scheduled to be available on SonyLIV, with Sony Sports Network listed for television coverage.

If you enjoy following upcoming cricket matches, schedules and match updates, you can also visit TodayMatches.

Afghanistan vs Nepal Match Details

Here is a quick look at the main details of the game:

Both teams will be looking to make a strong start to their campaign. Since T20 cricket can change very quickly, a good powerplay or a couple of early wickets could have a big impact on the final result.

Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin

The match will be played at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin in Japan.

The venue is part of the cricket setup for the Asian Games 2026. The available T20 numbers from the venue give an idea of how matches have played there so far.

In the listed statistics, 11 T20 matches have been played at the venue. Teams batting first have won six of those matches, while teams chasing have won five. The average first-innings score is 135, compared with 87 for the second innings.

These numbers are useful for getting a general idea about the venue, but they should not be treated as a guarantee for this match. The actual pitch, weather and conditions on September 25 can make a difference.

Afghanistan Squad

Afghanistan will be captained by Darwish Rasooli. Their squad has a good mix of batters, all-rounders and bowling options.

The Afghanistan squad is:

• Darwish Rasooli (c)
• Mohammad Ishaq
• Imran Mir
• Najibullah Zadran
• Karim Janat
• Nangeyalia Kharoti
• Khalid Taniwal
• Faridoon Dawoodzai
• Arab Gul Momand
• Ismat Alam
• Hassan Eisakhil
• Abdullah Ahmadzai
• Faisal Shinozada
• Mohammad Akram
• Farmanullah Safi

There are several players in this group who can contribute in more than one area. Karim Janat and Nangeyalia Kharoti, for example, give Afghanistan additional flexibility when the team decides its final combination.

Darwish Rasooli will have the added responsibility of leading the side, while players such as Najibullah Zadran can bring experience to the batting unit.

Nepal Squad

Nepal also have a competitive group for their Asian Games campaign. Their squad features several players who are familiar to followers of Nepal cricket.

The Nepal squad includes:

• Lalit Rajbanshi
• Sompal Kami
• Aarif Sheikh
• Karan KC
• Dipendra Singh Airee
• Sandeep Lamichhane
• Kushal Bhurtel
• Aasif Sheikh
• Rohit Paudel
• Sundeep Jora
• Nandan Yadav
• Kushal Malla
• Sher Malla
• Lokesh Bam
• Gulshan Jha

Nepal have plenty of experience in their squad. Kushal Bhurtel can provide attacking intent at the top, while Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee add options in the middle order.

With players such as Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC available, Nepal also have experienced bowling resources to work with.

Players Who Could Make a Difference

T20 matches often come down to a few key moments, and both teams have players capable of producing them.

For Afghanistan, the focus will be on how their batting group handles the Nepal bowling attack and whether their bowlers can pick up wickets during the middle overs.

Nepal will want their experienced players to take responsibility with both bat and ball. A strong start from their top order could put pressure on Afghanistan, while early wickets could make Afghanistan’s batting plans more difficult.

The battle in the middle overs may be especially important. This is often the stage when teams try to control the run rate while also looking for wickets.

Afghanistan vs Nepal Playing 11

The final Afghanistan vs Nepal playing 11 will only be known after the teams announce their lineups.

Although the announced squads provide plenty of information, the playing XI can change depending on the pitch, weather and team strategy. Captains may also make tactical decisions based on the toss.

For that reason, it is better to wait for the official XI before making any assumptions about the final team combination.

Previous Meetings Between Afghanistan and Nepal

Previous results can give fans some additional background, but they do not always tell the complete story before a new T20 match.

The available match records include previous meetings between Afghanistan and Nepal, with the exact head-to-head numbers depending on the competition and format covered by a particular database.

This Asian Games fixture is being played with the squads selected for the 2026 competition, so the current players and conditions are more relevant when assessing the upcoming game.

Afghanistan vs Nepal Live Score

Fans searching for the Afghanistan vs Nepal live score will be able to follow the match once play gets underway.

Live cricket coverage normally includes runs, wickets, overs, partnerships and individual batting and bowling figures. The Cricbuzz match page can be used to follow the fixture and match information.

Once the game begins, the live scorecard will also be useful for checking detailed player performances.

This is particularly helpful for fans who cannot watch the complete match but still want to keep track of the action.

Afghanistan vs Nepal Match Prediction: What Should Fans Watch?

There are several things worth watching before forming a view on the Afghanistan vs Nepal contest.

The first is the venue. Korogi Sports Park has produced different results for teams batting first and chasing in its available T20 record. However, the sample is still relatively small.

The toss is another factor. The captain winning the toss will have to decide how to use the conditions, and that decision could influence the early part of the game.

The confirmed playing XI will also matter. A change in the combination can affect the balance between batting and bowling.

Most importantly, T20 cricket can turn around quickly. One strong partnership or a spell of wickets can change the match within a few overs.

When and Where to Watch in India

The Afghanistan vs Nepal match is scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2026, with the start time listed as 10:30 AM IST.

Indian viewers can watch the match through SonyLIV, while Sony Sports Network is listed as the TV broadcaster.

Fans who prefer following matches online can also use live score services for ball-by-ball updates and the latest score.

Why This Match Is Worth Following

There is plenty to look forward to in this Group A fixture.

Afghanistan have a squad with players who can contribute in different roles, while Nepal have several experienced T20 cricketers who know how to handle pressure situations.

The venue will also be something to watch. With the available statistics showing a difference between first- and second-innings scoring, both teams may need to adapt quickly once the match begins.

The toss, confirmed lineups and the first few overs should provide a clearer picture of how the contest is developing.

Final Thoughts

The Afghanistan vs Nepal match is one of the fixtures to watch in the Group A schedule of the Asian Games 2026. The game will take place at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on September 25, with the action scheduled to begin at 10:30 AM IST.

Both teams have experienced players as well as younger options, so the final playing XI will be important. Conditions at the venue, the toss and performances during the powerplay could all influence the game.

Fans can follow the Afghanistan vs Nepal live score, scorecard and match updates once the contest begins.

For more cricket match previews, schedules and live updates, visit TodayMatches.