The Afghanistan Cricket Board confirmed a 15-man squad for the 20th Asian Games. Darwish Rasooli is set to captain the side, which features a blend of young and experienced international players.
The tournament will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 24 September to 3 October 2026. The ACB has taken a new approach for Afghan cricket as they prioritise fresh talent for this competition.
ACB National Selection Committee Finalises Youthful Squad
The National Selection Committee finalised the squad on 17 August 2026. They chose many players based on their performances in the recently finished 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL). This “AfghanAbdalyan” team includes six players who have never played international cricket before. Furthermore, five other players in the squad have played fewer than ten international matches.
Darwish Rasooli brings steady leadership to this young group. He has already represented Afghanistan in 5 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 28 T20 Internationals. Consequently, the board believes his experience will help the younger players perform on a big stage.
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Full Afghanistan Squad for Asian Games 2026: Darwish Rasooli (Captain), Mohammad Ishaq (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Imran Mir, Faisal Khan Shinozada, Najibullah Zadran, Farmanullah Safi, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Nangyalai Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Abdullah Ahmadzai
Key Stars and Emerging Talents in the Lineup
While the team focuses on the future, it still includes some very famous names. Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat will provide the much-needed experience in the middle order. Karim Janat is a versatile all-rounder who has played 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 75 T20s for his country. Similarly, Najibullah Zadran remains one of the most explosive batsmen in the squad.
Several young players earned their spots through brilliant domestic cricket form. Mohammad Akram is one of these rising stars. He finished the Shpageeza Cricket League as the second-highest run-scorer. He scored 339 runs across eight innings.
Another standout player is Ismat Alam, who was named the Player of the Tournament in the SCL. He showed great skill as an all-rounder by scoring 294 runs and taking 9 wickets. He currently has experience in two Test matches but will now show his skills in the shorter format in Japan.
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Absent Players from the 2026 Squad
Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz will not travel to Japan for this tournament. Additionally, Azmatullah Omarzai is another key name that the board did not include in the 15-man squad.
The ACB decided to rest these senior players because of a busy international schedule. Afghanistan will host India for a three-match T20I series in Delhi just one week before the Asian Games begin. Therefore, the Asian Games represent a perfect chance for the next generation of cricketers to prove themselves.
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Bowling Strength and Young Prospects
The bowling attack features a mix of spin and pace. Nangyalai Kharoti will lead the spin department. He has already played more than ten international matches and will likely be the primary spin option. He will work alongside leg-spinner Arab Gul Momand.
For the fast-bowling duties, the team relies on Farmanullah Safi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, and Faridoun Dawoodzai. Both Ismat Alam and Karim Janat can also bowl fast, giving the captain many options during a match.
The squad also includes Hassan Eisakhil, who is the son of legendary Afghan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. Another exciting addition is Faisal Khan Shinozada. He previously scored a century against India in the Under-19 World Cup semi-final.
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