Nepal's predicted XI vs Sri Lanka, Asian Games 2026 [Source: AFP]Nepal are set to face Sri Lanka in Quarterfinal 3 of the Asian Games 2026 at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on September 29 at 5:30 AM (IST).In the lead-up to the knockout rounds of the tournament, Nepal put on a brilliant show against Afghanistan to win by 5 wickets. They backed it up with another brilliant 149/4 against Japan in 15 overs before the match was washed out, finding a place in QF 3.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will enter the tournament directly in the knockouts after their England series. The winner of this clash will face India on October 1, and below is a brief look at Nepal's predicted XI for the match.Top Order- Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Sundeep JoraKushal Bhurtel has scored only 4 runs in two group-stage innings so far. However, with 82 T20Is under his belt, scoring 2329 runs at a healthy strike rate of 136.27, Bhurtel is likely to be backed by the Nepal management. He also picked 4/21 in their win over Afghanistan as their star player.Wicketkeeper Aasif Sheikh will partner Bhurtel at the top. He has scored 23 runs in the tournament, but in the lead-up to the Asian Games, he scored a century against UAE, showing his form. He has played 78 T20Is and is closing in on 2000 runs in the format, with 11 fifties.After the group stage, Sundeep Jora has scored the most runs in Asian Games 2026. He scored an unbeaten 57 off 32 with 5 fifties and 3 fours against Japan and 34(35) in a successful run-chase against Afghanistan. Jora will play at 3 for Nepal against the Lankans.Also Read: How Can India vs Pakistan Still Happen In Asian Games 2026?Middle Order and Allrounders- Kaushal Malla, Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Gulshan Jha, Lokesh BamNepal have a deep middle-order, with multiple all-rounders, starting with Kaushal Malla's left-arm orthodox and number 4 batting. Malla has a career strike rate of 137.33 for 1144 runs in 59 innings, alongside 25 wickets in the format, which makes him a sureshot starter.Former captain Rohit Paudel is one of the most bankable middle-order batter in the Nepal team. Having led the team in 59 T20Is, he brings leadership on the table, alongside 1878 runs in 86 matches at a strike rate of 122.02 and 14 wickets with off-break bowlingDipendra Singh Airee is the Nepal's marquee allrounder, who is famous for hitting six sixes in an over as well. He has a career strike rate of 138.99 with 2234 runs in 87 innings and Airee can also bowl medium pace as well as off-spin, making him a valuable team member. He replaced Paudel as captain recently and has won 6/8 matches, losing only one.Pace-bowling allrounder Gulshan Jha has already played 59 T20I matches for the national team. He has scored 672 runs in the format at a strike rate of 138.55 and scalped 29 wickets at a healthy economy rate of 7.15 runs per over. He can bat as a floater but will predominantly play as a finisher.Lokesh Bam scored a blockbuster 52(22) with 6 sixes against Japan. He also had England supporters at the edge of their seats earlier in the year, which almost caused an upset in the T20 World Cup. Bam has 321 runs in 21 innings at a strike rate of 157.35, which can change the game at will.Bowlers- Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KCNepal will also have another valuable name in the lineup in Sandeep Lamichhane, who has played T20 leagues around the world and has picked 255 wickets in 173 T20s. In T20Is, the former skipper has picked 142 wickets in 79 innings as Nepal's best bowler. He has only conceded 6.12 runs per over in T20Is so far.Left-arm orthodox bowler Lalit Rajbanshi ripped through the Afghanistan top-order earlier in the tournament, helping Nepal finish top of their group. With 3/13 in 4 overs, he has been among the best bowlers of the tournament.Nepal's second-highest wicket-taker Karan KC is sitting at 112 T20I wickets in 92 innings and can hit a few boundaries late in the innings as well, with a T20I SR of 151.84. He will complete a fairly competitive Nepal lineup against Sri Lanka.Nepal Playing XI vs Sri Lanka- Asian Games 2026, Quarterfinal 3Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Sundeep Jora, Kaushal Malla, Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Gulshan Jha, Lokesh Bam, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC.Also Read: Dissecting The Madness Behind Virat Kohli's New ODI Approach
