12 Years Later: Nepal Complete Historic T20 Victory Over Afghanistan At Asian Games
Nepal defeated Afghanistan in their opening men’s cricket match at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, defending their bowling effort and completing a successful chase of the 103-run target after restricting Afghanistan to 102/7 in 20 overs. The victory marked Nepal’s first T20 International win over Afghanistan in 12 years, bringing back memories of their historic 2014 ICC World T20 victory.
· 3 min read
Kathmandu, September 25, 2026
Nepal Defeat Afghanistan After 12 Years In Asian Games Cricket Thriller
Nepal secured a memorable victory over Afghanistan in the opening match of the men’s cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan on September 25, 2026. Nepal restricted Afghanistan to 102/7 in 20 overs before successfully chasing the 103-run target to begin their Asian Games campaign with a historic T20 win.
Nepal’s Bowlers Set Up Historic Win
Afghanistan started the match with the opportunity to put pressure on Nepal, but Nepal’s bowling attack kept control throughout the innings.
The bowlers prevented Afghanistan’s batters from building a big total and restricted them to just 102 runs in 20 overs.
The disciplined bowling performance gave Nepal’s batters a manageable target and created the foundation for the victory.
Batters Complete The Chase With Confidence
Chasing 103 runs, Nepal’s batting unit showed patience and control to complete the target.
The victory highlighted Nepal’s improving ability to handle pressure situations against stronger cricket nations.
The team’s experienced batters and young talents combined to deliver a composed performance on the Asian Games stage.
Key Players Behind Nepal’s Success
Dipendra Singh Airee: Nepal’s All-Round Match Leader
Dipendra Singh Airee continues to remain one of Nepal’s most important T20 players.
Known for his powerful batting, useful off-spin bowling and ability to perform under pressure, Airee has played several match-winning roles for Nepal.
He has been among Nepal’s leading T20 performers and has built a reputation as a reliable all-rounder on the international stage.
Rohit Paudel: The Backbone Of Nepal’s Batting
Rohit Paudel has become one of Nepal’s key middle-order batters.
Known for his calm approach and leadership ability, Paudel has played an important role in guiding Nepal’s batting against international opponents.
His experience has helped Nepal compete against higher-ranked teams.
Kushal Bhurtel: Nepal’s Explosive Opener
Kushal Bhurtel has been one of Nepal’s most attacking opening batters.
His ability to score quickly during the powerplay gives Nepal strong starts and puts pressure on opposition bowlers.
Bhurtel has been one of Nepal’s leading T20 batters since making his international debut.
Sandeep Lamichhane: Nepal’s Spin Weapon
Sandeep Lamichhane remains one of Nepal’s most recognised international cricketers.
His leg-spin bowling has played a major role in Nepal’s success against associate and full-member cricket nations.
His ability to take wickets in the middle overs makes him a crucial part of Nepal’s bowling plans.
A Victory 12 Years In The Making
The win carried special importance because Nepal had last defeated Afghanistan in T20 International cricket during the 2014 ICC World Twenty20.
Later in the same year, Afghanistan defeated Nepal by eight runs at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
After waiting for 12 years, Nepal once again defeated Afghanistan in a major international T20 competition.
A New Chapter In Nepal Cricket History
The victory adds another important achievement to Nepal’s growing cricket journey.
Nepal have continued to make progress in international cricket through strong performances in global tournaments and regional competitions.
Players like Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel and Sandeep Lamichhane have become symbols of Nepal’s rise in world cricket.
Strong Start To Asian Games Campaign
The victory gives Nepal confidence at the beginning of their Asian Games campaign.
Facing Afghanistan in their opening match provided a major challenge, but Nepal showed they can compete against strong Asian teams.
The team will now look to continue this momentum and push deeper into the tournament.
Why This Win Matters For Nepal
This was more than just another cricket victory.
Defeating Afghanistan after 12 years showed Nepal’s growth, confidence and ability to perform on major international stages.
For Nepali cricket fans, the win brought back memories of past achievements while creating a new historic moment at the Asian Games.
Published 1 hour ago in Sports