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The men’s Japan national team fought hard against a quality Nepal team in front of a partisan crowd in Oman at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia & EAP Qualifier.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl, Nepal may have been questioning their decision as Japan moved to 95 for one after 12 overs.

It was a partnership of 86 from 57 balls between Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (60 off 46) and Esam Rahman (31 off 25) that had put Japan into such a strong position.

Captain Kadowaki-Fleming was particularly severe on Nepali star Sandeep Lamichhane, striking 6,6,4 in the 9th over.

Nepal countered after Rahman was dismissed, eventually keeping Japan to 131 for eight from their 20 overs.

That momentum carried into their batting innings, as Nepal survived some close appeals to be 62 for one after seven overs.

Aasif Sheikh fell in the eighth for a well made 38 from 21 balls, bounced out by Shoma Sugaya-Slater (two for 22), sparking a mini-collapse as Japan threatened an upset for the ages.

At 90 for five in the 13th over there was a huge appeal that was ultimately turned down, and from there Gulshan Jha was able to guide his team home with an unbeaten 28 from 20 balls to win the game by five wickets with two overs to spare.

The result will see Nepal advance into the Super Six phase with the two points earned from this win, while Japan will need to win enough games to finish in the top three and earn a place at the World Cup in India next year.