Nepal pulled off a major upset at the 20th Asian Games on Friday, stunning the latest T20 World Cup semi-finalists Afghanistan by five wickets with 16 balls to spare and leaving their quarter-final hopes hanging by a thread.

Afghanistan, silver medallists at the previous Asian Games, struggled against Nepal’s spinners after opting to bat first. Left-arm spinner Lalit Rajbanshi claimed 3-13 and leg-spinner Kushal Bhurtel took 4-21 as Afghanistan were restricted to 102 in 20 overs.

Nepal also stumbled in the chase, slipping to 31-3 before Sundeep Jora and Rohit Paudel steadied the innings.

Jora made 34 before being dismissed, but Paudel remained unbeaten on 33 to see Nepal home with 16 balls remaining.

Afghanistan had opened their campaign with a win over Japan, but the defeat to Nepal has dealt a significant blow to their hopes of finishing as Group A champions.

Their route to the quarter-finals will now depend on the outcome of the Japan-Nepal match.

In Group B, Hong Kong kept their quarter-final hopes alive with a 41-run victory over Oman. Oman’s remaining match against Malaysia will determine the two teams advancing from the group.

Bangladesh will face the Group B champions in the quarter-final on 29 September.