Nepal’s national cricket team exited the 20th Asian Games tournament in Nagoya, Japan, after persistent rain forced the cancellation of their quarter-final match against Sri Lanka without a coin toss taking place. Under tournament regulations, higher-ranked teams advance when fixtures are washed out, ending Nepal’s campaign at Korogi Sports Park as Sri Lanka holds the ninth spot in the ICC T20 rankings compared to Nepal’s 14th place.
Weather Disruptions Wash Out Quarter-Finals in Nagoya
Incessant rainfall in Nagoya since Saturday repeatedly crippled the cricket schedule, culminating in Monday’s match cancellations. According to reports from the Kathmandu Post, Nepal’s crucial quarter-final fixture against Sri Lanka scheduled at Korogi Sports Park could not begin. The weather pattern also caused the cancellation of other matches at the venue, including India versus Afghanistan and Pakistan versus Hong Kong. Tournament rules dictate that without reserve days for cricket, ties abandoned due to weather defaults to the side with the superior international ranking. Consequently, ninth-ranked Sri Lanka advanced, while 14th-ranked Nepal bowed out of the medal hunt.
Group Stage Momentum Halted by Rain
Nepal arrived at the knockout stage following a hard-fought group-stage run. The team opened the tournament with a five-wicket victory over Afghanistan on Friday. Their subsequent match against Japan saw Nepal post 149 runs for four wickets in 15 overs before heavy downpours interrupted the second innings, preventing Japan from batting and leaving both sides to share points. That performance secured Nepal’s spot in the quarterfinals, which ultimately fell victim to the ongoing precipitation in the region.
Coach Stuart Law Responds to Tournament Exit Rules
Nepal coach Stuart Law voiced frustration regarding the tournament’s reliance on rankings during weather cancellations, telling journalists in Nagoya that associate nations face an uphill battle. “Associate cricket spends forever qualifying for the main event, and if higher ranked teams get past in these kinds of situations, it is brutal,” Law stated. While acknowledging that the ranking system reflects the volume of matches played by full-member nations, Law pointed out that Korogi Athletic Park lacked adequate drainage and large tarps to protect the playing surface.
Did you know?
Nepal previously faced Sri Lanka in the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, where Sri Lanka secured a two-wicket victory over a Nepali side coached by Roy Luke Dias. Their only other scheduled meeting, in the 2014 T20 World Cup in Florida, was also washed out by rain without a ball bowled.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nepal’s Elimination
Why was the Nepal vs. Sri Lanka match cancelled?
Continuous heavy rainfall in Nagoya, Japan, prevented any play from starting at Korogi Sports Park before the toss.
How does the Asian Games determine a winner when rain cancels a match?
Under competition regulations, if a match cannot be played due to weather, the team with the higher ICC T20 ranking advances to the next round.
What were the rankings of the two teams?
Sri Lanka is ranked ninth in the ICC T20 rankings, while Nepal is ranked 14th.
Keep reading