Japan Cricket Team Schedule in Asian Games 2026

Japan Cricket Team Schedule in Asian Games 2026: Dates, Venue, and Timings

Monojit Das

Published - Sep 23, 2026, 07:09 AM

3 min

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After a spirited performance against India, Japan national cricket team is all set to begin its Asian Games 2026 campaign on September 24. They will be high on confidence despite a heartbreaking defeat to India.

Despite the loss in the JPN vs IND T20I, Japan have won several hearts and will be watched closely during the Asian Games, where they will play as the hosts. Here is the full Japan schedule for Asian Games cricket competition:

Japan Cricket Team Schedule in Asian Games 2026

Japan will play two matches in the group stage of the Asian Games 2026 men's competition. They have been placed in Group A with Afghanistan and Nepal. Japan will play their first match against Afghanistan on September 24, Thursday.

The Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming-led side will play their next game on September 26 against Nepal. Both the matches will be played at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin. Coming to the Japan cricket team match timings in Asian Games, both these matches will start from 5:30 AM IST (9:00 AM JST).

Match	Date	Timing (IST)	Venue
Japan vs Afghanistan	September 24	5:30 AM	Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin
Japan vs Nepal	September 26	5:30 AM	Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin

How Can Japan Qualify For Asian Games Quarter-Finals?

Japan will play as the home team, however, they will face tough competition from both Afghanistan and Nepal in the group stage. Both Afghanistan and Nepal are ranked higher than them in the ICC rankings, making it tough for them to qualify.

Japan cricket Asian Games quarterfinal Qualification scenario isn't that straight-forward. They will have to finish in top two amongst the three teams of Group A to make it to the next stage.

They will feel confident after their recent performance against India and also the fact that Afghanistan are coming with their second-string side in Asian Games. However, Afghanistan and Nepal are much stronger on paper and have several players who have played in big ICC events.

Japan, led by the opener Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, will be playing as the hosts and will be aiming to leave a mark despite playing some of the higher-ranked sides. If they manage to qualify for the Asian Games quarter-finals, they will face some of the best cricket teams in the world.

The Japanese team might play India in the quarter-finals on September 28 if they qualify as the second-ranked team in Group A. If this happens, it will be a mouth-watering encounter after Japan gave India a tough fight in the one-off T20I.