KATHMANDU: Nepal secured a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their Group A fixture of the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Friday.

Riding on disciplined bowling spells from Kushal Bhurtel and Lalit Rajbanshi, followed by crucial knocks from Sundeep Jora and Rohit Paudel, Nepal chased down the 103-run target in 17.2 overs with 16 balls to spare.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Afghanistan posted 102/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Nepal’s spinners restricted the opposition early, with left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi dismantling the top order to finish with figures of 3/13 from his four overs. Rajbanshi dismissed open batters Hassan Eisakhil (0) and Mohammad Akram (2), as well as Karim Janat (9).

Kushal Bhurtel delivered an economical and decisive spell in the middle overs, picking up 4/21 in four overs. Bhurtel broke key partnerships by taking the wickets of Faisal Khan Ahmadzai (30), Mohammad Ishaq (7), Darwish Rasooli (0), and top-scorer Najibullah Zadran (30 off 40 balls). Nangeyalia Khan remained unbeaten on 17 off 15 balls to help push Afghanistan past the 100-run mark.

Chasing 103, Nepal suffered early setbacks as Kushal Bhurtel fell for a duck in the first over to Faridoon Dawoodzai, followed by the dismissal of Aasif Sheikh (2) by Abdollah Ahmadzai. Kushal Malla was later run out for 9, leaving Nepal at 31/3 in 6.3 overs.

Sundeep Jora provided momentum to the chase, scoring 34 off 35 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes before being run out. Rohit Paudel anchored the remainder of the innings, remaining unbeaten on 33 off 32 balls (four boundaries).

Captain Dipendra Singh Airee contributed 15 runs before falling to Arab Gul in the 18th over with the scores level. Gulsan Jha hit the winning run to complete the chase at 103/5 in 17.2 overs.

With this win, Nepal claimed two points in Group A.