Nepal clinch back-to-back wins with Gulshan Jha's all-round brilliance against Japan

Nepal continued their strong start in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier 2025, registering a comfortable five-wicket win over Japan to top Group B with two wins from two matches.

Chasing 132, Nepal reached the target in 18 overs, guided by an impressive all-round display from Gulshan Jha, who starred with 28 (20)* and 2/20, earning him the Player of the Match award.

After being sent in to bat, Japan posted a competitive 131/8 (20 overs), thanks to captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming's fighting 60 (46) that held their innings together. He smashed Nepal's premier leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane for two sixes and one four in his second over. Esam Rahman added a lively 31 (25) before Nepal's spinners took control.

Sandeep Lamichhane (2/25) and Gulshan Jha (2/20) shared crucial wickets to restrict Japan in the final overs, ensuring Nepal chased a manageable target.

In reply, Kushal Bhurtel (21 off 21) gave Nepal a steady start before being dismissed in the 5th over.

Aasif Sheikh then took charge, smashing 38 off 21 balls, including two consecutive sixes off Sabaorish Ravichandran in the 7th over that shifted momentum Nepal's way.

After a brief middle-order wobble, Gulshan Jha's composed finish (28 off 20)*, capped by a four and six off consecutive deliveries in the 18th over, sealed victory with 12 balls to spare.

With this win, Nepal finished the group stage unbeaten, taking two carry over points into the Super Six stage that will determine the final three places at next year's global event in India and Sri Lanka.

Japan also moved to Super Six as second place finishers.