Afghanistan has turned to a largely inexperienced squad for the 2026 Asian Games, naming Darwish Rasooli captain as several established players, including Rashid Khan, are rested for the continental tournament.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board announced the 15-member squad Monday for the men’s cricket competition in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, which will run from Sept. 24 to Oct. 3. Six players are uncapped, while five others have made fewer than 10 international appearances.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai are also missing from the squad, while Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat provide experience to the otherwise youthful lineup.
Several selections came after impressive performances in the recently concluded 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League.
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Top-order batter Mohammad Akram scored 339 runs in eight innings, including a century and two half-centuries.
All-rounder Ismat Alam scored 294 runs and took nine wickets, earning the league’s best-player award.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal and Imran Mir are among the other emerging players included in the squad.
Rasooli will lead the team in place of Rashid, marking a change in leadership as Afghanistan gives younger players greater responsibility at the Asian Games.
The tournament will also provide several players with limited international experience an opportunity to compete at a major continental event.
Afghanistan is scheduled to play a three-match T20I series against India in Delhi in the week before the Asian Games.
The series will serve as important preparation before the team begins its campaign in Japan.
Afghanistan Asian Games squad
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, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Asian Games cricket schedule
- Sept. 24-26: Preliminary matches
- Sept. 28-29: Quarterfinals
- Oct. 1: Semifinals
- Oct. 3: Bronze medal match and gold medal final
