Afghanistan vs Nepal Asian Games Men’s T20I, 2026, Full Score Card

Gulshan Jha hits the winning run! Arab Gul fires this one, full and on middle, Jha drills it towards mid on and sets of for the run. The fielder fails to pick it up cleanly and Jha makes his ground. NEPAL WIN BY 5 WICKETS, with 16 balls to spare.

Gulshan Jha is out to bat next for Nepal.

OUT! CAUGHT! Dipendra Singh Airee holes out, trying to go for the glory shot. Tossed up, full and on middle, turns away. Airee goes down for the big slog sweep but gets a top edge. It goes high in the air towards the mid on region. Najibullah Zadran from mid-wicket runs towards it, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a safe catch.

FOUR! SCORES LEVEL! Short of a length and around middle. Rohit Paudel opens up his stance, gets on top of the bounce and swats it away to the wide long on fence for a boundary.

Pitched up, outside off, Dipendra Singh Airee bunts it out to extra cover for a run.

Low full toss, on middle, Dipendra Singh Airee tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Fuller and around off, Rohit Paudel pushes it through covers for a single.

Hits the deck hard, on middle, Rohit Paudel uses his feet, stays leg side of the ball and swats it but straight to mid off.

WIDE! A bouncer, on middle, but too high for the batter. Rohit Paudel lets it go. Wided.

Bangs this into the pitch, around off, gets some steep bounce. Rohit Paudel backs away to pull but misses.

Hard length and on off, Rohit Paudel pats it towards cover-point for one. 12 runs off the over!

FOUR MORE! Nepal are almost there now! Dug into the surface, outside off, Rohit Paudel rides the bounce and slaps it through the extra over. The fielder from deep point runs to his right and dives, gets a hand but can only parry it to the fence for another boundary.

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! Short of a length and outside off, takes pace off. Rohit Paudel slashes at it but gets a thick outside edge that flies to the third man fence for a boundary. Nepal fans go wild in the stands.

Full and on leg, Dipendra Singh Airee clips it through backward square leg for another run.

Back of a length and around off, Rohit Paudel runs it down to deep third for a run. Nepal need 18 runs in 28 balls now.

A slower one, on a length and outside off. Dipendra Singh Airee throws his bat at it but gets an inside edge to the left of the keeper. He fumbles and allows a single.

Tossed up, around off, Rohit Paudel punches this to extra cover for no run.

Too full, on off, Rohit Paudel dabs this to the backward point fielder.

FOUR! Fuller around middle and off, Rohit Paudel gets right underneath the flight on the ball and lofts this over the bowlers head for a boundary.

Tossed up, on middle and off, Dipendra Singh Airee sweeps this through square leg for a single.

Too full, around off, Rohit Paudel drives this down to long off for a single.

Quicker one, around off, Dipendra Singh Airee plays this late and guides this past the left of the short third fielder for three runs. Excellent running between the wickets.

Short and wide of off, Rohit Paudel looks to cut this away but gets beaten.

Short and around off, Rohit Paudel arches back and looks to help this to the third man region but misses.

WIDE! Bouncer, a tad too high on the batter. Wided.

Slower one, around off, on a length, Rohit Paudel keeps it out to covers.

On a length, on middle and off, Rohit Paudel punches this through mid on and Dipendra Singh Airee pushes Rohit Paudel into running the second and the batters make it with ease.

Good length, around off, Dipendra Singh Airee cuts this through point for a single.

Good length, on middle and off, Dipendra Singh Airee keeps it out.

Karim Janat is back on.

Too full, on middle and off, Dipendra Singh Airee punches this to deep point for one run.

Full and on middle and leg, Rohit Paudel flicks this through square leg for another strike rotation.

Short of a length, around off, Dipendra Singh Airee cuts this to the right of backward point for a single.

Floated on the pads, Rohit Paudel works this through silly mid on for a single.

Tossed up, on middle and leg, Airee punches this to covers and a misfield allows one.

Fuller around off, Dipendra Singh Airee drives this on the bounce to covers.

Full and on the pads, Rohit Paudel flicks this through mid-wicket for a brace to close out the over.

Back of a length, on the pads, Dipendra Singh Airee looks to flick this through square leg but gets it jammed around the popping crease and the batters take a run.

On a length, around off, Dipendra Singh Airee cuts this to the left of the deep third fielder for a couple.

On a length, around off, Dipendra Singh Airee pats this right back to the bowler.

Yorker, around off, Rohit Paudel dabs this in front of mid off and takes a single.

Fuller around off, Dipendra Singh Airee drives this to sweeper cover for a single.

Floated on the pads, Dipendra Singh Airee milks this through square leg for a single.

Quicker and flatter, around off, Rohit Paudel dabs this late towards the third man region for a single.

Too full, on off, Rohit Paudel defends this off his front foot.

Quicker one, around off, Rohit Paudel drives this to point.

Floated on middle and off, Rohit Paudel pushes this to the right of the bowler.

Tossed up, on middle and off, Rohit Paudel gets it edged off the inside onto his pads. A loud appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down.

DRINKS! Right at the stroke of the dismissal of Jora, the umpire have taken the break. Nepal were miles ahead in the chase but these two run outs have just halted their momentum, and how they recover after losing Jora, who looked in tremendous form, is something to keep a keen eye on. It is still Nepal's game to lose. Also, Dipendra Singh Airee walks out to bat

OUT! SUNDEEP JORA IS RUN OUT! A huge mix-up, and Nepal lose their set batter. Najibullah Zadran gives this one a little more air, full and on middle, and Jora tucks it towards mid-wicket before setting off for a run. He doesn't even look at his partner, who has no interest in the single and sends him back. But Jora is already halfway down the pitch and has to turn around, with Darwish Rasooli quickly onto the ball. He fires in a direct hit at the batter's end, and although Jora throws himself into a desperate dive, he is well short of his ground.

Pushed through quicker, shortish and on middle, Sundeep Jora stabs it to the right of the bowler.

Short again, on off, Rohit Paudel moves back and forces it down to long off for one.

Dragged back, around off, Sundeep Jora punches it through covers for a run.

SIX! Into the stands! Flatter delivery, a bit too full and on middle. Sundeep Jora clears his front leg away and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 50 up for Nepal.

Floated, short and on off, turns in. Rohit Paudel plays it late, opens the bat face and guides it towards short third for a single.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Nangeyalia Kharote darts this one, full and on middle and leg. Sundeep Jora gets down on one knee and nails the sweep to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Quicker one, full and on off, Rohit Paudel drills it to sweeper cover for one.

Flighted, full and around off, turns away, Rohit Paudel tries to go inside out over covers but misses.

Three wides! Nangeyalia Kharote fires this one, on middle, hits a crack and angles way down the leg side. Rohit Paudel fails to glance it away and the keeper also fails to stop it. Faridoon Dawoodzai from short third chases after it and stops it with a slide. Two byes taken and it is called a wide.

Flatter, short and on off, turns away. Rohit Paudel looks to work it acoss the line but gets a leading edge along the ground towards point.

Tossed up, full and on off, Sundeep Jora taps it with soft hands in front of short cover for a quick single.

Floated, full and on off, Sundeep Jora pushes it to cover.

Dragged back, on middle, Sundeep Jora rocks back and pulls it towards long on for one.

Flighted, full and on off, Sundeep Jora goes down and swipes it away towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Slows it up, shortish and on off, Sundeep Jora stabs it off the bottom half of the bat back to the bowler.

Flatter, short and on middle and off, Sundeep Jora backs away and cuts it late but straight to short third.

Floated, full and on off, Rohit Paudel eases it down to long off for a run.

A low full toss, on leg, Sundeep Jora goes down and sweeps it towards deep square leg for a single.

Arab Gul is called into the attack.

Flatter, full and around middle, Sundeep Jora flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Slows it up, full and on off, Sundeep Jora taps it to the off side.

Drops it short, on middle, Rohit Paudel tucks it towards square leg for one.

Rohit Paudel is the next batter in.

OUT! KUSHAL MALLA IS RUN OUT! A disaster for Nepal. Nangeyalia Kharote tosses it up, full and around off, turns away. Sundeep Jora gets down and across and paddles it towards short fine. Malla calls for the run but there was never a run there. Karim Janat picks up the ball and throws it to the keeper's end, where Mohammad Ishaq does the rest, with Malla nowhere near the crease. Nepal are 31/3, chasing 103 runs.

Goes short again, on off, Kushal Malla works it down to long on for a run.

Floated, short and on off, Sundeep Jora pats it in front of point for a quick single.

Hits the deck hard, on middle, jags back in again. Kushal Malla backs away to guide it away but gets a bottom edge behind the stumps. Just one run off the over. Nepal are 29/2 after the end of the Powerplay!

Nails the yorker, on middle, angling in, Kushal Malla digs it out well.

Goes fuller and well outside off, Kushal Malla crouches low and throws his bat at it but fails to connect.

Back of a length and on middle, nips back in sharply. Kushal Malla gets cramped up for room and can only pat it down on the pitch.

Good length and on middle, Kushal Malla gets behind the line of it and blocks it out.

Uppish but safe! Short of a length and on middle, Sundeep Jora looks to pull it away but gets rushed a bit. It hits the splice of the bat and goes over the bowler's head and lands between mid on and mid off. A single taken.

Good length, around off, Kushal looks to punch this on the up but misses out.

WIDE! Full and wide down the leg side. Wided.

Short and wide of off, Sundeep Jora dabs this to third man region for one run.

WIDE! Good length, wide down the leg side. Wided.

Good length, around off, shaping away from the batter. Jora has a poke at it but gets beaten.

Fuller on off, Sundeep Jora drives this straight back to extra cover.

Excellent running between the wickets. Short and wide of off, Kushal Malla cuts this through point and runs three as the fielder fields it and over runs it a bit.

Pitched up around off, Sundeep Jora chips this behind and beyond extra cover for three runs. The ball was racing to the fence but the fielder does well to flick it back inside the playing area to keep it down to three.

Karim Janat joins the attack.

Bouncer, on middle and leg, Kushal ducks down.

Back of a length, around off, Kushal Malla looks t get bat on ball but gets beaten on the outside edge.

FOUR! Typical southpaw drive for four runs. A touch too full by the bowler, around off, Kushal Malla stands his ground and punches this without any footwork through the covers region for a boundary.

Short and wide of off, Sundeep Jora cuts this to deep point for a single.

WIDE! On a length, wide down the leg side, Sundeep Jora goes for a flick but misses. Wided.

Good length, on middle and off, Kushal guides this to the third man region for a single.

Both openers are back in the hut now. Kushal Malla comes out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Gone for the good. Good length, on middle and off, Aasif Sheikh looks to flick this towards the leg side but gets a leading edge and the ball hangs high over the mid off fielder. Darwish Rasooli settles himself under the ball and holds onto it.

Abdollah Ahmadzai comes in as the first bowling change.

On a length, on middle and off, Sundeep Jora rocks onto his back foot and hits this to the fielder.

Good length, on middle and off, Sundeep Jora punches this to mid on for a dot.

Full and wide of off, Aasif Sheikh backs away and pats this to the right of the mid off fielder for a single.

Good length, on middle and leg, Sundeep Jora milks this through the square leg fielder for one run.

Good length, on off, Aasif Sheikh looks to dab it around the off side but gets it bounced just over the stumps for a single. The keeper kicks the ball onto the stumps but the batter is safely in by then.

Good length, on middle and off, Aasif Sheikh pats this to backward point.

Way too full, around off, Sundeep Jora has it guided to the left of the first slip fielder.

FOUR! Oozing in confidence now is Jora. Fuller around off, Sundeep Jora brings out the reverse sweep and hits this behind the short third fielder for a boundary.

FOUR! That has been smashed into the gap for a boundary. Short of a length, around off, Sundeep Jora rocks back and cuts this through the extra cover region for a boundary.

Pushed through around off, Sundeep Jora checks the punch off his back foot and it lands short of covers.

Fuller around off, Sundeep Jora goes for a wild slog but gets beaten as the ball beats the outside edge of Jora's bat.

Short of a length, on off, Sundeep Jora punches this to covers.

Spin from the other end as Nangeyalia Kharote will share the attack.

Good length, wide of off, going across the batter, Sundeep Jora gets it chopped off the inside edge to short fine leg for one run.

Short and on middle and off, Sundeep Jora mishits this to the right of the bowler.

Full and wide of off, Sundeep Jora swings at it without any convincing footwork and gets beaten.

Back of a length, on middle and off, Sundeep Jora defends this off his back foot.

Big blow for Nepal. Sundeep Jora walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! A stunner by Hassan Eisakhil at extra cover cuts Kushal Bhurtel's innings short. Pitched-up delivery around off, Kushal Bhurtel plays the lofted drive but does not get enough elevation. Eisakhil moves well to his left, times his leap to perfection, and holds onto a stunning catch. Nepal are 0/1, chasing 103 runs.

Back of a length around off, Kushal Bhurtel looks to play the square cut but misses out.

A single to end the innings. Afghanistan finish on 102/7. Another yorker by Lalit, on off. Kharote jams it out wide of point, and they scamper through for a quick single. Ahmadzai gets home before the throw reaches the keeper.

Nails the yorker, on off. Kharote drills it to cover.

FOUR! Oh, that could have been nasty! Floated up, on middle. Kharote skips down the track and lofts it back over the bowler's head. The long on and long off fielders converge and both have their eyes on the ball as they go for the catch. Both men put in the dive, but the ball goes right between them, and thankfully, they do not collide. It trickles into the fence. Afghanistan go past 100 with a couple of balls left in the innings.

A single sneaked in! Keeps it full, outside off. Ahmadzai has a big swing at it but the ball spins away a touch and grazes the outside edge. The keeper, Aasif Sheikh can't cling on as the ball clips his gloves and rolls wide of point. They cross.

A swing and a miss! Switches to around the wicket, fuller and around the off pole. Ahmadzai clears the front leg and swings for the hills, but the ball straightens to go past the bat and whistles past the off stump.

Very full, on middle, not allowing the batter to get under the ball. Kharote powers it to long on for just a single.

The next man in is Abdollah Ahmadzai. Also, Lalit Rajbanshi (3-0-6-3) will bowl the final over.

OUT! TAKEN! Kushal Bhurtel picks up his 4th wicket on the last ball of his spell and ends a fine outing. Bowled into the deck again, on off. Zadran hangs back and tries to drag it in front of square on the leg side. Gets it right off the toe end of the blade and it goes flat towards long on. Karan KC runs in off the ropes and slides to take a safe catch inches off the turf. Afghanistan are 95/7 with one over left in the innings.

This is from the front of the hand, into the wicket, outside off. Zadran flashes but can only connect with thin air.

Loopy ball, it is the googly, on off. Zadran picks it from the hand and goes with the spin, carving it to the left of deep point for another brace.

Good teamwork! Floated up, on off. Zadran gets down on a knee and clubs it wide of deep mid-wicket. Rohit Paudel sprints to his right and dives to push the ball away towards the converging Karan KC. Two runs taken.

FOUR! Up and over! Another ball that is quicker through the air, shorter too. It sits up to be hit and Zadran does not miss out. He extends his hands and slams it over cover for a boundary.

Beaten! This is pushed through from the front of the hand, short and outside off. Zadran throws his hands at the ball but is beaten for pace as well as bounce as the ball sails over the blade.

Kushal Bhurtel (3-1-13-3) will bowl the penultimate over.

Angled in at the hips, that is flicked off the back foot to deep mid-wicket for a run. A good over for Afghanistan, 9 runs off it.

Wide! Well wide on off, on the shorter side. Zadran can't connect on the cut.

Good running! Spears it in on a good length, on middle. Kharote drops it beside the strip on the leg side and scampers through for a quick single.

Short and on off, Kharote punches it firmly to cover.

A bit of air given, full and on middle. Zadran attempts the slog sweep but toe-ends it wide of point for one.

Bye! Bowls the arm ball, following the batter. Kharote makes room to force it away. It sneaks under the blade and the keeper can't collect it cleanly either. It clips the gloves and goes behind for a bye.

FOUR! One bounce and over the ropes. 3rd boundary in 8 balls for Afghanistan. Paudel drifts on the pads, on a good length. Kharote leans inside the line of the ball and gets down on a knee. Makes use of the angle as he shovels it over short fine leg.

Too straight, angled in at the pads. Kharote clips it wide of short fine leg and retains the strike with a single.

A bit of extra bounce, short and on off. Nangeyalia Kharote stabs it down on the off side.

Around off, a bit short. Zadran rides the bounce and steers it wide of backward point for another single.

On a length now, on off, cut away to backward point.

Closer to the off stump, on a nagging length. Zadran glides it to backward point.

FOUR! Welcomed with a boundary. Short and wide on off. Zadran frees his arms and scytches it back over backward point for a boundary.

FOUR! Risk taken, and Kharote gets rewarded for it.  Full and straight at the sticks. Kharote brings out the reverse and gets enough elevation to clear the infield. Hits it between short third and backward point for a boundary.

A bit fuller but keeps it nice and tight, around the off pole. Kharote taps it to cover.

Short and flat, on off. Zadran knocks it to the right of the man at extra cover and rotates the strike.

Drops it short, on off. Kharote punches it off the back foot to long off for one.

Angled in at the pads, on a length. Zadran fails to lay any bat on the tickle. A leg bye is taken as the ball goes away on the leg side.

This is darted in on a good length, on middle. Zadran hangs back to defend.

A googly, short and around off, turns away, Nangeyalia Kharote tries to cut it away but misses. A double-wicket maiden over!

No hat-trick for Kushal Bhurtel! A loopy low full toss, on middle, Nangeyalia Kharote pushes it towards short cover. He sets off for the run but is sent back in time.

The captain comes and goes. Nangeyalia Kharote walks out to face the hat-trick ball.

OUT! LBW! Two in two for Kushal Bhurtel and he sends the Afghan skipper back for a golden duck. He bowls this a bit flatter, full and on middle, turns away again. Darwish Rasooli gets stuck in his crease and tries to work it across the line but plays all around it, getting hit on the pads right in front of the stumps. Another massive appeal and a much easier decision this time, as the finger goes up again. Afghanistan are 65/6 now.

The skipper, Darwish Rasooli is in at number 7.

OUT! LBW! Kushal Bhurtel gets his second wicket. Flighted delivery, full and around middle, turns away a bit. Mohammad Ishaq goes down for the sweep but misses it completely and gets hit just above his waist. There is a big appeal for LBW, and the umpire raises his finger after taking his time. Ishaq does not seem happy about the decision but has to walk back. Afghanistan lose half their side now.

This does not bounce at all! Tossed up, full and on off, turns away but keeps very low. Mohammad Ishaq has a swipe across the line but misses. The keeper also lets it through his legs, and the batters take two byes.

Big appeal for caught behind, but turned down! Floated, full and around off, Mohammad Ishaq tries to smack it over cover but misses. He hits his bat on the ground hard, and the noise came from that.

Slows it up, full and on middle, Mohammad Ishaq swipes it away to deep square leg for one more.

A bit quicker, full and on off, Najibullah Zadran connects with the reverse sweep but from the bottom half of the bat towards short third. Just one.

Wrong'un, full and around off, turns away. Najibullah Zadran tries the reverse sweep but gets nowhere near the ball.

Goes short, on leg, Mohammad Ishaq moves back and nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter, full and on middle and leg, Mohammad Ishaq goes down for the sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads again.

A googly, full and on middle, turns in. Mohammad Ishaq gets forward to block but misses and gets hit on the pads.

A low full toss, around off, Mohammad Ishaq drags it off the inside half of the bat towards deep square leg for one.

Loopy delivery, full and outside off, dips in late. Mohammad Ishaq tries to sweep it away but fails to connect.

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Flatter, full and around leg. Mohammad Ishaq gets down on one knee and swipes it away just over the leaping short fine fielder for a boundary

Mohammad Ishaq is the new man in.

OUT! IN THE AIR...GONE! Kushal Bhurtel breaks the budding 39-run stand. He tosses up the leg-break, full and on off, turning it away. Faisal Shinozada skips down the track and tries to mow it down the ground but slices it high in the air towards mid off, where Dipendra Singh Airee settles under it and pouches it safely. Afghanistan are 55/4 now.

Short and around off, Najibullah Zadran punches it away towards sweeper cover for a run.

Flighted, full and around off, Faisal Shinozada changes his stance early, reaches out a bit and reverse sweeps it towards deep point for a single.

Yet another googly, fuller this time, on off, turning away. Najibullah Zadran lunges out to defend but the ball zips past the outside edge.

A googly now, short and around off, turns away, Najibullah Zadran tries to push it away but misses.

Slows it up, full and on off, turns away. Faisal Shinozada looks to drive but gets an outside edge along the ground towards point. The fielder fails to judge the spin and lets it through for one.

Wrong'un, short and on middle, turns in, Faisal Shinozada backs away and guides it to point.

Tossed up, full and on off, Najibullah Zadran goes down and drags it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Floated, short and around off, turns away, Faisal Shinozada punches it through covers for a single. There is a chance of an overthrow, but Zadran is a bit late to react, and they settle for one.

Sandeep Lamichhane is back with a change of ends.

Flatter, full and on middle and leg, Faisal Shinozada backs away and drives it to long off for a run. 50 up for Afghanistan!

Looped up, full and on off, turns away, Faisal Shinozada pushes it away towards point.

FOUR! Nicely played! Flighted, full and on off. Faisal Shinozada goes down and connects with the reverse sweep this time. He finds the gap between short third and backward point for a boundary.

Drops it short, on middle, holds up on the surface. Faisal Shinozada moves back and pats it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, full and around off, Faisal Shinozada tries the reverse sweep but misses it completely.

Floated, full and on leg, Najibullah Zadran crouches low and swipes it away to deep square leg for a single.

DRINKS! The runs have started to come a bit more easily in the last few overs, but Nepal will still feel they are ahead in the game. Their spinners have done a fine job and will look to continue the same, while Afghanistan will hope that the pair out there can extend this stand and push them towards a fighting score. Kushal Bhurtel to bowl after the break.

SIX! Clean strike. Airee spears it in on the fuller side, right in the hitting arc, on off. Shinozada drops to a knee and clubs it way over deep mid-wicket for his first six in T20I cricket.

Back to pushing it through, flatter and shorter, on off. Zadran knocks it through covers and turns the strike over.

Tossed up, slower through the air, on middle. Shinozada gets to the pitch of the ball and chips it towards long on for another single.

Short and on the off pole. Zadran punches it to the right of cover and hurries to the other end.

Stays full, around off. Shinozada wrists it wide of long on and crosses over.

Keeps the stumps in play with a full ball, Shinozada eases it back to the bowler.

Oh, that kept low. Dragged down by Lamichhane, spinning back in, on middle. It does not rise much but Zadran does well to pat it back to the bowler.

Fuller and attacking the sticks. Shinozada sinks to a knee and shovels it wide of short fine leg for one more run.

Around off, a bit short, Najibullah dabs it wide of point and picks up a single.

Drags the length back, across off. Zadran stands tall on top of the bounce and forces it wide of long off. Gulshan Jha moves to his right and gets rid of the ball quickly but cannot prevent the second run.

Dishes out the googly, on a length, on off. Zadran does not move his feet at all and pushes away from his body. Gets beaten on the outside edge.

Fractionally short, on middle. Shinozada punches it to long on and gets to the other end.

Looped up, on off. Faisal leans forward and plays the reverse lap wide of short third for a single.

Pushed through, this keeps straight, short and outside off. Shinozada goes for the cut but is beaten for pace.

Not in control but safe. Drops it short and it spins away with bounce. Zadran attempts the cut but the ball catches the outside edge and balloons well wide to the right of backward point. They cross.

Missed out! Short and wide on off, there to be put away. Zadran gets the cut away but picks out the man at backward point.

Darted into the left-hander, fuller in length, on middle. Zadran lunges for the block.

Floated up, on middle. Shinozada use his feet and drives it to long on for a single.

The physio is in for a mandatory concussion check on Faisal Shinozada.

A loud shout for LBW, but turned down! Another googly by Sandeep Lamichhane, on a good length, on middle. Shinozada reaches out in front and attempts the reverse lap but gets pinged on the helmet due to the bounce from the surface. The batters pick up a single as the ball goes on the leg side. It has been given as a run, so the ball may have grazed the bat or the glove before hitting the helmet.

Bowls the googly, fractionally short, on off. Zadran spanks it past extra cover. The fielder in the deep is quick to his left and keeps the batters down to a single.

Slows it down and the length continues to be on the shorter side. Shinozada presses back and shovels it through mid-wicket for one.

Another half-tracker, on off. Shinozada goes deep in the crease and pulls it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Slips the googly and it is dragged down, outside off. Zadran pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

On a nagging length, on middle and leg, that is flicked off the back foot in front of square on the leg side for a run.

Sandeep Lamichhane joins the attack.

Drags the length back, slower and outside off. Zadran reaches out for the cut but toe-ends it to cover. End of a dominant Powerplay for Nepal. At the end of 6 overs, Afghanistan are 19/3.

Nearly chipped back to the bowler. Fires in a full ball, on middle. Zadran tentatively pushes it down the deck and luckily for him, the ball does not carry to Dipendra Singh Airee.

Pushed through, short and wide on off. Zadran throws his hands at the ball but fails to connect.

Shorter and turning into the pads. Faisal Shinozada nurdles it behind square leg and turns the strike over.

Flighted up, on off. Zadran chips it down to long off for a single.

Flat and short, a bit of turn. Zadran flashes but chops it down to cover.

Dipendra Singh Airee brings himself on for his off-breaks.

Flighted, full and just around off, Faisal Shinozada goes down and across to paddle it away but misses. The ball deflects off his forearm and hits his chin under his helmet.

A bit short, on off, Faisal Shinozada pushes it away towards short cover.

Slows it up, full and on off, Faisal Shinozada knocks it off the bottom part of the bat down the pitch.

Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Najibullah Zadran goes down for the slog sweep but does not get it from the middle of the bat and that probably saves him. It flies in the air but goes on the bounce to deep square leg. They cross.

Floated, full and on off, Najibullah Zadran defends it on the front foot.

The start gets even better for Nepal. Najibullah Zadran comes out to the middle.

OUT! TIMBER! Over number 3 and wicket number 3 for Lalit Rajbanshi. He is off on a celebratory run and cannot be caught. This is the arm ball, full and on middle, goes in with the arm. Karim Janat stays back and tries to defend but does not pick the arm ball and plays for the turn. The ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad and rattles into the stumps behind. The Nepal fans who have come in numbers are going crazy.

Quicker, short and on leg, Faisal Shinozada moves back and punches it to mid on.

Slows it up, full and on off, turns away sharply after hitting a crack. Faisal Shinozada goes down for the reverse sweep but misses. The keeper fails to collect it cleanly but does well to get a glove on it.

Drags his length back, on leg, Karim Janat nudges it to the right of mid-wicket for a single.

Short again, on middle and leg, Karim Janat tucks it towards short mid-wicket.

Drops it short, on middle and on off, Karim Janat pats it to short cover.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Karim Janat blocks it out.

WIDE! Flatter, short but down the leg side, Karim Janat misses his flick. Wided.

More spin as Kushal Malla has been brought on.

FOUR! Nicely played! Lalit Rajbanshi bowls this a bit flatter, full and on middle and off. Faisal Shinozada goes down and reverse paddles it. The slip came off before this delivery, and the ball goes through the first slip region and rolls to the third man fence for a boundary.

Goes short, on off, Faisal Shinozada steers it to point.

Flighted, full and around off, turning away. Faisal Shinozada sits down on one knee for the sweep but misses. Afghans have tried this shot a few times, but it hasn't come off yet.

Flatter, short and on middle, angling in, Faisal Shinozada backs away and pats it in front of point.

Faisal Shinozada walks out to bat on his T20I debut.

OUT! TAKEN! Lalit Rajbanshi strikes again. He floats it up, full and on middle and off, turns it away. Mohammad Akram decides to attack and goes down for the slog sweep but only manages to get a top edge due to the spin and bounce on the ball. It goes up in the air over mid-wicket, where Lokesh Bam backtracks a bit, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes a good catch. Both Afghan openers are back in the hut now.

Beauty! Tossed up, full and around off, grips and turns away sharply. Mohammad Akram gets drawn forward to block but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Overpitched and on off, Karim Janat strides out and drills it towards short cover.

FOUR! Not in control, but gets the result! Full again and just outside off, Karim Janat reaches out to drive it away but loses his bottom hand. He ends up slicing it in the air but well wide of the cover fielder, as the ball rolls to the fence for another boundary.

FOUR! Gets it away! Karan KC errs in line and serves this full but angling down the leg side. Karan KC does not miss out and helps it on its way past short fine for the first boundary of the game.

On a length and around off, Karim Janat opens the bat face and steers it towards point.

Pitched up, on middle, Mohammad Akram knocks it towards mid on for a single.

Beaten! Karan KC begins with a full delivery, shaping away. Mohammad Akram looks to push it away but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Early success for Nepal, and their supporters go berserk. Undoubtedly the best turnout in the men's competition so far. In walks Karim Janat at number 3. Karan KC will steam in from the other end.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Lalit Rajbanshi with an absolute beauty. He gives this one some more air, full and on middle, gets it to drift in and then turn away a shy bit, but very late. Hassan Eisakhil moves back to play it but gets squared up and does so down the wrong line. The ball spins past the outside edge and hits the top of the middle stump. A golden duck for Eisakhil, and Afghanistan are 1/1.

Arm ball, full and on middle, angling in, Hassan Eisakhil gets forward to defend but gets an inside edge to the leg side.

Dragged back and around leg, Mohammad Akram backs away and nudges it towards short fine for a single. Afghanistan are underway!

Another swing and a miss! Flighted, full and on off, turns away again. Mohammad Akram goes down once again and tries the slog sweep but only connects with thin air.

Floated, short and on middle, Mohammad Akram stays back and pats it down the pitch.

Big swing and a miss! Lalit Rajbanshi starts with a tossed-up delivery, full and around off, turns away a bit. Mohammad Akram goes down and has a big swipe across the line but misses.

Done with the national anthems, and we are all set to get going. These are two very well-supported teams, and that is on display today as well. Dipendra Singh Airee and his men get into a huddle near the ropes. Mohammad Akram and Hassan Eisakhil walk out to open the innings. Nepal are starting with spin in the form of Lalit Rajbanshi. Akram to face the first ball. Off we go...

We are moments away from the first ball, but before that, Dipendra Singh Airee and Darwish Rasooli will lead their respective sides out for the national anthems. It will be Nepal's national anthem first, followed by that of Afghanistan.

Nepal (Playing XI) - Aasif Sheikh (WK), Rohit Paudel, Gulshan Jha, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, Dipendra Singh Airee (C), Lokesh Bam, Sundeep Jora, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Lalit Rajbanshi.

Afghanistan (Playing XI) - Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Karim Janat, Darwish Rasooli (C), Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq (WK), Faisal Shinozada (On T20I debut) (In for Ismat Alam), Abdollah Ahmadzai, Nangeyalia Kharote, Faridoon Dawoodzai, and Arab Gul.

TOSS - The coin has landed in favour of Darwish Rasooli. Afghanistan have elected to BAT first.

Runs hard to come by - Run-scoring has been hard work so far in the men's competition, with 130 not even breached yet, which is a complete contrast to what we saw on the women's side of things. You'd think Afghanistan would be better equipped to handle the conditions, having played one game already. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Why this game matters - Finishing as runners-up in this group means running straight into a full-strength India side in the quarter-finals. That's not to say India are unbeatable. Anyone can be beaten on their day. But if you are Afghanistan or Nepal, you'd much rather top the group and set up a quarter-final against Sri Lanka instead, who are fielding a second-string outfit.

The action continues - We move into the second game of the day, and it's a cracker with Afghanistan taking on Nepal. These are the two sides expected to progress from Group A, with both expected to get past Japan along the way. Afghanistan have already ticked that box with a win, while Nepal still have that fixture to come.

... MATCH DAY ...

A key clash in Group A - The men's competition moves into its second game in Group A, with Afghanistan taking on Nepal at Korogi Sports Park. Afghanistan have started with a win and will be looking to build on that result, with another victory securing their place in the knockout stage. Nepal, meanwhile, will be looking to make a strong start and put themselves in a good position to progress from the group. Experience to make the difference - In their bid to go one better than their silver-medal finish last time around, Afghanistan have started with a win. They had to fight it out with the bat against Japan, but with the ball they proved too good for the hosts. It was not an easy wicket to bat on, as Afghanistan found out. Having spent some time in the middle, the likes of Mohammad Akram, Karim Janat, Mohammad Ishaq and captain Darwish Rasooli will be better equipped to handle the conditions against Nepal. As they say, experience cannot be bought in the market, and you cannot look past Najibullah Zadran, with the game against Japan marking his 200th international appearance for Afghanistan. Variety in the attack - Abdollah Ahmadzai showed he can generate good pace and make life uncomfortable for the batters, while Faridoon Dawoodzai also has enough variations to keep the batters guessing. It gives Afghanistan a useful combination of pace and change-ups to work with. Spin remains Afghanistan's major weapon, with Nangeyalia Kharote providing an established option in the attack and Arab Gul looking to build on an impressive debut. The leg-spinner made an immediate impact against Japan, taking 4 wickets, and will be one to watch out for in this clash. Nepal on the rise - Nepal come into the tournament with a settled group and plenty of experience in T20 cricket. They have also been making strides in the 50-over format, recently securing qualification for next year's Asia Cup after beating UAE in the ACC Men's Premier Cup final. It is another sign of their progress across formats and the growing stature of Nepalese cricket. Their run at the previous edition of the Asian Games ended at the quarter-final stage, and they will be keen to go deeper this time around under the leadership of Dipendra Singh Airee. A settled batting group - Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh provide an experienced opening combination, while Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee bring stability and experience in the middle order. Kushal Malla, Sundeep Jora and Gulshan Jha give Nepal further firepower down the order. Pace and spin options - Nepal's spin department could be particularly important at Korogi Sports Park. Sandeep Lamichhane remains the standout name, while Lalit Rajbanshi provides another established option. Dipendra and Kushal Malla can also chip in, giving Nepal several ways of managing the middle overs. Karan KC and Sompal Kami bring plenty of experience and are the key figures in Nepal's pace department. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - AFG - WLLLW | NEP - WWWWW. Conditions check - The women's competition saw scores on the higher side, but if the opening game of the men's competition was anything to go by, scoring was anything but easy. The slow nature of the surface, with the ball seaming around upfront and the spinners also finding plenty of assistance, made batting a challenge. If that is anything to go by, we could be in for another tricky outing for the batters. A battle with little history - There is not much history between these two sides, with their only previous T20I meeting coming at the 2014 T20 World Cup, where Nepal came out on top. A lot has changed since then, though, and with both sides looking well matched on paper, this promises to be an intriguing contest.