The Japan vs Nepal head to head record is short, with the teams having met only once in men’s T20I cricket before the 2026 Asian Games. Nepal won that match by five wickets during the 2025 T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier at Al Amerat. The two sides are now set to meet again on September 26 at Korogi Park in Nisshin during the men’s Asian Games cricket tournament. The upcoming Group A fixture will be only their second official T20I meeting. Nepal enter the contest with a 1-0 advantage in the JPN vs NEP H2H record, while Japan will look to level the record on home soil after losing their opening Asian Games match to Afghanistan.
Japan vs Nepal Head to Head Record
Japan and Nepal have played only one recorded men’s T20I against each other. Nepal lead the Japan vs Nepal head to head record 1-0 after winning their first meeting by five wickets in the 2025 T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier. Japan scored 131/8 in that match, with Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming making 60, before Nepal completed a successful chase with 132/5 in 18 overs. The result gives Nepal the only victory in the official T20I record between the teams. Their September 26 Asian Games match will therefore be only the second official T20I between Japan and Nepal. The limited record means there is very little historical data separating the two teams beyond that first encounter.
Nepal leads the T20I H2H Record 1-0
Nepal lead the JPN vs NEP H2H record 1-0 after winning the only previous T20I between the teams. Japan posted 131/8 in the 2025 T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier, but Nepal chased the target successfully. Nepal reached 132/5 in 18 overs to win by five wickets, giving them the only victory in the matchup so far. The result remains the sole official T20I data point between the two sides ahead of their second meeting at the 2026 Asian Games.
Japan vs Nepal Have a Very Limited H2H Sample
The Japan vs Nepal head to head record has only one match, so it provides a very limited sample of their T20 cricket history. Nepal won the 2025 meeting, but one result cannot establish a wider trend between the teams. The September 26 Asian Games fixture will become their second official T20I and will add another result to the record. It will also provide new batting, bowling and team statistics that can be compared with their first meeting. Until then, Nepal’s five-wicket victory remains the only official result between Japan and Nepal.
Japan vs Nepal Previous T20I Meeting in 2025
The only previous Japan-Nepal cricket meeting in men’s T20I cricket took place during the 2025 T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier at Al Amerat. Japan batted first and scored 131/8, with captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming leading the innings with 60 runs from 46 balls. Eesam Rahman also contributed 31 runs as Japan built a competitive total. Nepal then chased the target and finished on 132/5 in 18 overs. Aasif Sheikh scored 38 from 21 balls, while Gulshan Jha remained unbeaten on 28 from 20 balls. Nepal completed the chase with two overs remaining and won by five wickets. That match remains the complete basis of the official T20I H2H record between the teams.
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming Scored 60 for Japan
Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming produced the standout batting performance for his team in the first H2H meeting. He scored 60 runs from 46 balls as Japan reached 131/8 at Al Amerat. His innings was the highest individual score of the match and remains the highest score in the Japan vs Nepal T20I record. Eesam Rahman supported him with 31 runs as Japan built their total. Kadowaki-Fleming will again lead Japan in the second official T20I meeting at the Asian Games.
Aasif Sheikh and Gulshan Jha Powered Nepal’s Chase
Aasif Sheikh and Gulshan Jha played important roles in Nepal’s successful chase in the first meeting. Sheikh scored 38 runs from 21 balls and gave Nepal a strong start while chasing Japan’s 131/8. Gulshan Jha then made an unbeaten 28 from 20 balls to help Nepal reach 132/5 in 18 overs. Jha also contributed with the ball, taking 2/20 in Japan’s innings. Nepal completed the five-wicket victory with two overs remaining, giving them a 1-0 lead in the official T20I H2H record.
Japan’s Recent Form Before Facing Nepal
Japan’s recent form provides additional context beyond their limited H2H record against Nepal. They won four of their five matches during the 2026 East Asia-Pacific qualifying campaign, recording victories over Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Indonesia and Fiji. Their only defeat in that five-match sequence came against the Cook Islands. Japan then entered the Asian Games but lost their opening Group A match against Afghanistan by 48 runs. Afghanistan scored 129/6 before Japan were dismissed for 81 in 19.3 overs. Japan therefore entered the Nepal fixture without a Group A point, despite their strong results in the regional qualifying campaign.
Japan Won Four of Five Before the Asian Games
Japan won four of their five matches before the Asian Games during the 2026 East Asia-Pacific qualifying campaign. They recorded victories against Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Indonesia and Fiji. Their only defeat during that five-match run came against the Cook Islands. Those results showed a strong regional record heading into the Asian Games. However, Japan could not carry that winning run into their opening Group A match, losing to Afghanistan by 48 runs. The Nepal fixture therefore represented another opportunity for Japan to add a result to their recent record.
Afghanistan Defeated Japan in the Asian Games Opener
Japan began their Asian Games campaign with a 48-run defeat against Afghanistan. Afghanistan scored 129/6 before Japan were dismissed for 81 in 19.3 overs. The result left Japan without a Group A point ahead of their meeting with Nepal. It also gave Afghanistan an early advantage in the group standings. Japan’s result against Nepal therefore carried importance for their qualification hopes, as they needed points from the fixture after starting the tournament with a defeat.
Nepal’s Recent Form Before Facing Japan
Nepal entered the Japan match after a strong run in the ACC Premier Cup. They won the tournament and defeated the UAE in the final, adding to victories over teams including Oman and Saudi Arabia during the competition. Their Premier Cup campaign also ended with a significant win before the Asian Games. Nepal scored 313/9 in the final against the UAE before dismissing their opponents for 269, securing a 44-run victory. That result provided Nepal with strong tournament momentum before their Group A fixture against Japan.
Nepal Won the ACC Premier Cup in September 2026
Nepal’s most recent major achievement before the Asian Games was winning the ACC Premier Cup. They faced the UAE in the final and scored 313/9 in their innings. Nepal then bowled the UAE out for 269, securing a 44-run victory and the tournament title. The result added another major win to Nepal’s recent record before the Asian Games. Their Premier Cup success also meant Nepal arrived for the Japan fixture with recent experience of winning important matches and handling a tournament knockout situation.
Nepal’s Recent Record Shows Strong Tournament Momentum
Nepal’s recent record included victories over Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Oman during their ACC Premier Cup campaign, although they also suffered a defeat against Hong Kong. They then finished the tournament with a 44-run victory over the UAE in the final. These results provide a wider picture of Nepal’s form than their single previous T20I against Japan. Their 1-0 H2H advantage came from the 2025 qualifier, while their more recent Premier Cup results offered additional context before the second official meeting between the teams at the Asian Games.
Key Players in Japan vs Nepal Head to Head
The strongest statistical links between Japan and Nepal come from their only previous T20I meeting. Japan captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming scored 60 from 46 balls, while Aasif Sheikh made 38 from 21 balls for Nepal. Gulshan Jha contributed 28 not out from 20 balls during Nepal’s chase and also took 2/20 with the ball. Sandeep Lamichhane also claimed two wickets in Japan’s innings. These performances form the main statistical record between the teams ahead of their second official T20I. With only one previous match, the same players occupy much of the historical H2H record rather than a larger group of recurring performers.
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming Is Japan’s Leading H2H Batter
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming is Japan’s leading batter in the H2H record against Nepal. He scored 60 runs from 46 balls in the first and only previous T20I between the teams. His score remains the highest individual innings in the matchup and accounts for a major part of Japan’s 131/8 total. As Japan’s captain, Kadowaki-Fleming also leads the team into their second official T20I against Nepal. His performance from the first meeting remains the main individual batting benchmark for Japan.
Aasif Sheikh and Gulshan Jha Led Nepal’s First Win
Aasif Sheikh and Gulshan Jha were central to Nepal’s first victory over Japan. Sheikh scored 38 runs from 21 balls, giving him the highest Nepal score in the first H2H meeting. Gulshan Jha finished unbeaten on 28 from 20 balls and helped Nepal complete their chase at 132/5 in 18 overs. Jha also took 2/20 with the ball in Japan’s innings. Their contributions were important in Nepal’s five-wicket victory and remain key parts of the statistical record before the teams meet again.
Japan vs Nepal H2H Batting and Bowling Records
The available Japan vs Nepal head to head statistics all come from their single previous T20I meeting. Japan’s highest recorded total against Nepal is 131/8, while Nepal’s highest total against Japan is 132/5. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming holds the highest individual score in the matchup with 60 runs. Aasif Sheikh is Nepal’s leading scorer in the H2H record with 38. Gulshan Jha recorded two wickets for 20 runs, while Sandeep Lamichhane also took two wickets in the match.
Japan’s Highest H2H Total Is 131/8
Japan’s highest H2H total against Nepal is 131/8, recorded in their only previous official T20I meeting in 2025. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming led the innings with 60 runs from 46 balls, while Eesam Rahman added 31. The two batters provided much of Japan’s scoring before Nepal’s bowlers restricted the lower order. Japan’s 131/8 was ultimately not enough, as Nepal reached the target with five wickets remaining and two overs left in their innings.
Nepal’s Highest H2H Total Is 132/5
Nepal’s highest H2H total against Japan is 132/5, which came during their successful chase in the 2025 meeting. Nepal reached the target in 18 overs to win by five wickets. Aasif Sheikh top-scored with 38 from 21 balls, while Gulshan Jha remained unbeaten on 28 from 20 balls. The chase gave Nepal their only win in the official T20I record against Japan and established their 1-0 lead ahead of the second meeting at the 2026 Asian Games.
Japan vs Nepal Asian Games 2026 Match Details
Japan and Nepal are scheduled to meet on September 26 at Korogi Park in Nisshin in the men’s Asian Games cricket tournament. The fixture is part of Group A and comes after both teams’ opening matches in the competition. Japan entered the match after facing Afghanistan, while Nepal’s position in the group was shaped by the remaining fixtures. The match is particularly important because the top teams from the group progress towards the quarterfinal stage. It also gives the two sides their second official men’s T20I meeting after Nepal’s five-wicket victory in 2025.
Korogi Park Hosts the Japan-Nepal Fixture
Korogi Park in Nisshin is scheduled to host the Japan vs Nepal fixture at the 2026 Asian Games. Japan will therefore play the Group A contest on home soil, while Nepal enter the match after their recent ACC Premier Cup campaign. The venue provides the setting for only the second official T20I meeting between the teams. Their previous encounter took place at Al Amerat during the 2025 T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier, where Nepal won by five wickets.
The Match Has Group A Qualification Significance
The Japan-Nepal fixture carries importance beyond their limited H2H history because of the Group A qualification race. Nepal entered the match with the stronger qualification position, while Japan had already suffered a 48-run defeat against Afghanistan. Japan therefore needed a positive result to remain in contention for a quarterfinal qualification place. Net run rate could also become important if teams finished level on points, meaning the margin of victory could influence the final standings. The match would therefore add both a second H2H result and a significant Group A result.
Japan vs Nepal H2H Key Numbers
The key numbers from the Japan vs Nepal head to head record come from their only previous official T20I. Nepal lead the record 1-0 after their five-wicket victory in 2025. Japan scored 131/8, while Nepal reached 132/5 in 18 overs. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming recorded the highest individual score with 60 runs from 46 balls. Aasif Sheikh was Nepal’s top scorer with 38 from 21 balls, while Gulshan Jha made an unbeaten 28 from 20 balls. Jha also took 2/20, giving him an important all-round contribution in Nepal’s first H2H victory. These figures make up the complete official T20I statistical record before the Asian Games meeting.
What the H2H Record Means Before the Asian Games 2026
Nepal’s 1-0 lead gives them the only previous victory in the Japan vs Nepal head to head record, but the number of matches is too small to establish a broad T20I trend. The teams have played just one official men’s T20I, making the September 26 Asian Games fixture their second. Japan’s four wins from five matches in the 2026 East Asia-Pacific qualifying campaign provide additional recent context, while Nepal entered after winning the ACC Premier Cup. The second meeting will therefore add a new result to a very limited H2H record while also carrying important Group A qualification significance.
Conclusion
The Japan vs Nepal head to head record stands at 1-0 in Nepal’s favour before their second official men’s T20I meeting. Nepal won the only previous encounter by five wickets in the 2025 T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier after Japan scored 131/8 and Nepal chased 132/5 in 18 overs. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming’s 60 was the highest individual score, while Aasif Sheikh made 38 and Gulshan Jha scored an unbeaten 28 in Nepal’s successful chase. The September 26 Asian Games fixture at Korogi Park will add a second chapter to the H2H record and carry important Group A qualification consequences.
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