JPN vs NEP Fantasy Prediction, 5th Match: Japan vs Nepal Fantasy Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Asian Games Men’s T20 2026

Nepal are on a six match winning streak, having just beaten Afghanistan and continued their dominant run through this tournament and its qualifiers. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming captains Japan, who have lost three of their last five, including their tournament opener against Afghanistan. The two sides have met once before, in the final of the 2025 T20 World Cup Asia EAP Qualifier, which Nepal won by a single run. For those preparing their JPN vs NEP Fantasy Team, Nepal’s current winning form and Japan’s recent results could be important factors to consider.

Japan vs Nepal Match Details

Match: Japan vs Nepal
Match: 5th Match, Asian Games Men’s T20 2026
Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Time: 12:00 AM local time (8:30 PM IST, Friday, 25 September)
Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Ten Network and Sony LIV

A Recent, High Stakes Meeting

This is worth covering properly. The only previous meeting between these two sides came in the final of the 2025 T20 World Cup Asia EAP Regional Qualifier, and it could not have been closer. Nepal posted 132/5, and Japan fell just short, reaching 131/8. That result sent Nepal through to the T20 World Cup qualifying process while denying Japan the same route, so there is real recent history behind this fixture beyond just being two Asian Games opponents.

Recent Form

Japan have won two of their last five. They beat Papua New Guinea and Samoa at the T20 World Cup East Asia Pacific Qualifier, but have since lost three in a row, including a narrow home defeat to Hong Kong, a low scoring loss to India in a warm up match, and the tournament opener here against Afghanistan.

Nepal have won five in a row and remain unbeaten through this entire campaign. They swept through their qualifying group with big wins over China and Malaysia, beat Hong Kong comfortably in the qualifier final, and have now beaten Afghanistan in this tournament’s opening stage too.

JPN vs NEP Head to Head Record

Nepal lead the head to head 1-0. Their only meeting came in the final of the 2025 T20 World Cup Asia EAP Qualifier, which Nepal won by 1 run, posting 132/5 and restricting Japan to 131/8.

Points Table

Nepal have 2 points from 1 match, a win, with a net run rate of plus 0.842. Japan have 0 points from 1 match, a loss, with a net run rate of minus 2.400.

Squads

Japan: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming captains the side, Japan’s all time leading run scorer and a two time centurion in the format. Ibrahim Takahashi and Declan Suzuki-McComb add further experience, and Jake Kusuda-Nairn offers a younger allround option.

Full squad: Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Alester Kadowaki-Fleming, Tsuyoshi Takada, Alexander Shirai-Patmore, Ibrahim Takahashi, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Makoto Taniyama, Charlie Hinze, Shoma Slater, Kohei Kubota.

Nepal: Dipendra Singh Airee captains the side, an allrounder who holds the record for the fastest fifty in T20I history, off just 9 balls, at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Sandeep Lamichhane leads the bowling attack as one of the most respected leg spinners in Associate cricket, and Rohit Paudel and Kushal Bhurtel add further batting experience.

Full squad: Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Aarif Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Lalit Rajbanshi, Gulsan Kumar Jha, Nandan Yadav, Lokesh Bam, Sundeep Jora, Sher Malla, Kushal Malla.

Pitch Report

Korogi Sports Park has hosted 10 tracked matches. The side batting first has won 60 percent of them. The average first innings score is 124, dropping to 82 in the second. Spin has dominated heavily here, taking 71 percent of the wickets over the last 10 matches against just 29 percent for pace, conditions that should suit Sandeep Lamichhane in particular.

Weather Report

Specific forecast figures were not available for this match. Check conditions closer to the toss for an updated picture.

Probable Playing XIs

Japan (Probable): Kohei Kubota, Wataru Miyauchi (wk), Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Alester Kadowaki-Fleming, Alexander Shirai-Patmore, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Charlie Hinze, Ibrahim Takahashi, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Makoto Taniyama.

Nepal (Probable): Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Kumar Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Aarif Sheikh, Sundeep Jora, Gulsan Kumar Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi.

These are estimates. Final XIs are confirmed at the toss.

Key Player Battles

Sandeep Lamichhane vs Japan’s top order: Lamichhane is one of the best leg spinners in Associate cricket, and a ground that has heavily favoured spin gives him a real route to controlling this match.

Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming vs Nepal’s bowling attack: Kadowaki-Fleming came agonisingly close to beating this exact opponent in last year’s qualifier final, and he will want a different result this time.

Dipendra Singh Airee vs Japan’s bowling: Airee already has a winning record against this exact opponent in a final, and he arrives full of confidence after Nepal’s dominant run through the tournament so far.

JPN vs NEP Fantasy Team

Wicketkeeper: Aasif Sheikh, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming

Batters: Rohit Kumar Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel, Ibrahim Takahashi

All-Rounders: Dipendra Singh Airee (C), Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Declan Suzuki-McComb

Bowlers: Sandeep Lamichhane (VC), Lalit Rajbanshi

Airee is captain on the back of Nepal’s unbeaten run through this tournament and his proven record against this exact opponent in a high stakes final last year. Lamichhane is vice captain given the spin friendly conditions at this ground.

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Match Prediction

Nepal should have the edge here. They are unbeaten in six matches, they already beat this exact opponent in a high pressure final last year, and their squad carries more depth through Airee, Lamichhane and Paudel.

Japan have shown they can compete with sides above their own level, including in that narrow qualifier final defeat, but three losses in their last four matches suggest their recent form has dipped at an unfortunate time.

Nepal are the pick here, continuing their dominant run through this tournament.

JPN vs NEP Fantasy Team FAQs

Q. Who will win the JPN vs NEP 5th match today?
A. Nepal are favoured. They are unbeaten in six matches and already beat Japan in a high stakes qualifier final last year.

Q. What is the head to head record between Japan and Nepal?
A. Nepal lead 1-0. Their only meeting came in the final of the 2025 T20 World Cup Asia EAP Qualifier, which Nepal won by just 1 run.

Q. What is the JPN vs NEP Fantasy prediction for the 5th match?
A. Dipendra Singh Airee is the top captaincy pick for Nepal. Sandeep Lamichhane is a strong vice captaincy option given the spin friendly conditions.

Q. Is there a rain threat for the JPN vs NEP match?
A. Specific forecast figures were not available for this match. Check closer to the toss for an updated picture.