Afghanistan face Nepal at Korogi Athletic Park (5,000 capacity) in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on September 24, 2026, with first ball at 9:00 AM JST (UTC+9) in the Preliminary Round, Group A of Cricket at the 2026 Asian Games. Six preliminary fixtures determine which teams join the four seeded nations, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, in the quarterfinals.
Afghanistan are the strongest team in Group A, having reached the top tier of Associate cricket with consistent performances at ICC events. Nepal have emerged as a formidable T20 side, with players like Dipendra Singh Airee capable of match-winning innings at any point in the order. Their rivalry carries genuine competitive edge, as both nations compete in the same tier of global cricket.
Korogi Athletic Park is a 5,000-capacity venue in Nisshin, east of Nagoya, converted from a baseball facility for the 2026 Asian Games. The ground is intended to become a permanent cricket legacy venue for Japan following the Games, reflecting the sport’s growing foothold in East Asia.
A 9:00 AM JST first ball translates to 5:30 AM IST in India, 12:00 AM GMT in London (midnight), 11:00 AM AEST in Sydney, and 8:00 PM EDT the previous evening in New York.
The Asian Games cricket competition runs in T20I format across Aichi Prefecture from late September to October 3, 2026. Cricket’s inclusion in the multi-sport program puts the game in front of audiences who may never watch a bilateral series or ICC event. The preliminary round format means a single defeat can end a team’s medal ambitions, giving every match a knockout intensity rarely felt in the group stage of other tournaments.
India won gold when cricket last featured at the Asian Games in 2023 in Hangzhou, and the defending champions are seeded directly to the quarterfinals. For Afghanistan and Nepal, reaching the quarterfinals to face one of the seeded nations would itself represent a significant achievement on the continental stage.
For timezone conversions, check Japan time, Afghanistan time, and Nepal time.
- What time does Afghanistan vs Nepal start?
- The match starts at 9:00 AM GMT+9 (Asia/Tokyo) at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi on 2026-09-24. Use the timezone converter above to see it in your local time.
- Where is this match being played?
- Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi, Japan. Capacity: 5,000.
- How can I watch Cricket at the 2026 Asian Games?
- Check your local broadcaster for Cricket at the 2026 Asian Games coverage. Popular options include Star Sports and JioCinema (India), Sky Sports (UK), Willow TV (USA/Canada), Fox Sports (Australia), and SuperSport (Africa).