The Afghanistan Cricket Board has named a 15-member Afghanistan A squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with Darwish Rasooli appointed captain. Afghanistan will face Japan and Nepal in the group stage as they seek to advance to the next round.
Kabul | By Niaz Shinwari
The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s selection committee has announced a 15-member Afghanistan A squad, known as the Afghan Abdalyan, for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Darwish Rasooli will captain the side, which also includes wicketkeeper Ishaq Rahimi, Hassan Eisakhil, Mohammad Akram, Imran Mir, Khalid Taniwal, Najibullah Zadran, Faisal Shinuzada, Farman Safi, Karim Janat, Ismat Alam, Nangeyalia Kharote, Arab Gul, Fareedon Dawoodzai and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Afghanistan have been drawn alongside hosts Japan and Nepal in their group, with progression to the next stage dependent on their results in the group phase.
The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, with competition scheduled to begin in late September and continue into the first week of October.
Afghanistan will participate in cricket alongside other sports at the Games.
The Afghan side won a silver medal at the previous Asian Games after the final was abandoned because of rain.
Cricket is part of the programme for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Afghanistan will enter the competition with its Afghan Abdalyan squad as it seeks another medal following its silver-medal finish at the previous edition.
