Nepal and Sri Lanka Set for Crucial Asian Games Clash With Rain Threat Looming

Nepal will look to extend their impressive winning run when they face Sri Lanka in a crucial Asian Games quarterfinal on Tuesday, but the biggest challenge may come from the weather rather than their opponents.

Heavy rain has disrupted the men’s cricket competition in Nisshin, with several recent matches either washed out before the toss or abandoned after play had begun. The forecast suggests another difficult day, with rain expected around the scheduled 9am start.

A complete washout would benefit Sri Lanka. As the higher seeded team, they would advance to the semifinals without playing a ball, following the same route taken by India and Pakistan. The winner of the Nepal and Sri Lanka quarterfinal will meet India in the last four.

Nepal will understandably hope the weather allows the contest to go ahead. They arrive with considerable momentum, having won their last six completed T20 internationals against six different opponents across three countries.

Their Asian Games campaign began with an impressive victory over Afghanistan, with Kushal Bhurtel and Lalit Rajbanshi playing key roles with the ball. Although Afghanistan fielded a second string side, the result provided another boost to a Nepal team that has been producing strong performances in recent months.

Nepal also made an impression at the recent T20 World Cup. They pushed England close before producing an exciting victory over Scotland, underlining their ability to compete against more established teams.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, enter the match in very different circumstances. They have lost their last four T20 internationals and were recently beaten 3 0 by England. During that series, Sri Lanka failed to score 150 in any of the three matches while England maintained an aggressive scoring rate throughout.

Before that series, Sri Lanka lost a three match T20I series 2 1 in the Caribbean. Their T20 World Cup campaign had also ended with four consecutive defeats, including a loss against Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka’s most recent T20I victory came in June, while their last score above 150 also came during that month. Their most recent total beyond 200 was recorded in February.

Those figures provide Nepal with reason for confidence, although Sri Lanka’s squad for the Asian Games contains players capable of changing the course of a match.

Players to Watch

Kushal Bhurtel remains one of Nepal’s biggest batting threats. Despite modest scores in the current tournament, he has been Nepal’s leading run scorer in T20 internationals this year, accumulating 522 runs at an outstanding strike rate of 180.

Bhurtel also enjoyed an excellent Top End Series in Australia last month, recording three consecutive half centuries and five successive scores above 35 against teams from Australia, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

With three T20I centuries already to his name, his aggressive approach could put considerable pressure on an inexperienced Sri Lankan bowling attack.

Sri Lanka will be hoping for a strong contribution from Niroshan Dickwella, who has returned to the national T20I setup after last playing in the format in 2021.

Dickwella endured a difficult Lanka Premier League campaign, scoring 110 runs in six innings, but he has shown signs of improved form more recently. He scored 80 from 115 deliveries in the first Test against India and will have an opportunity to make an immediate impact if he gets a chance at the top of the order.

His experience could be particularly valuable in a Sri Lankan side containing several inexperienced players.

Team News

Nepal are expected to rely heavily on their experienced bowlers if the match is played in damp conditions. Dipendra Singh Airee will lead the side, with Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi providing important spin options alongside the pace experience of Sompal Kami.

Nepal’s probable XI is Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Kushal Malla, Gulsan Jha, Lokesh Bam, Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi and Sompal Kami.

Sri Lanka have brought an inexperienced squad to the Asian Games, with Niroshan Dickwella and Ashen Bandara returning to the national setup. The team is being captained by Sahan Arachchige and includes four players yet to make their international debut.

Sri Lanka’s probable XI is Niroshan Dickwella, Lasith Croospulle, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Ashen Bandara, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Ratnayake, Wanuja Sahan, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Nuwan Thushara and Binura Fernando.

Weather Could Decide Everything

The conditions remain the biggest concern for both teams.

No cricket has been played in Nisshin since Saturday, when Nepal reached 149 for 4 from 15 overs against Japan before rain forced the match to be abandoned.

Rain has continued to affect the Asian Games schedule, with three of the last four matches washed out without the toss and another abandoned after 15 overs.

The forecast is again unfavorable for Tuesday, with rain expected through much of the morning and into the afternoon. The match is scheduled to begin at 9am local time, with conditions expected to remain uncertain until at least the evening.

That leaves Nepal facing an unusual situation. Their form and confidence suggest they are ready for another competitive performance, while Sri Lanka will be desperate to use their experience to halt their recent losing run.

But if the rain has the final say, Sri Lanka will advance to the semifinals without having to face Nepal on the field.

For Nepal, therefore, the equation is simple. They need the weather to cooperate before they can attempt to continue one of the strongest winning runs in their recent T20I history.

Courtesy: cricinfo