Nepal Defeats Japan, Secures Two Points in Super Six

Gulsan–Dipendra partnership seals 5-wicket victory

Nepal beat Japan by 5 wickets in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier, earning two valuable points in the Super Six stage. Chasing a target of 132 at the Oman Cricket Academy, Nepal reached the total in 18 overs.

Openers Kushal Bhurtel (21) and Aasif Sheikh (38) gave a solid start, but Nepal lost wickets in the middle overs. However, Gulsan Jha (28* off 20) and Dipendra Singh Airee (14* off 14) guided the team to victory.

Earlier, Nepal chose to field after winning the toss and restricted Japan to 131/8. Japanese captain Kodawaki Fleming scored 60 runs, while Nepal’s Gulsan Jha and Sandeep Lamichhane took two wickets each.

With this win, Nepal will face four more teams in the Super Six. A top-three finish will secure Nepal a spot in the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup—marking their second consecutive and third overall qualification.