Japan will witness a new generation of Afghan cricket talent as Darwish Rasooli has been named captain of Afghanistan’s 15-member squad for the Asian Games 2026 cricket tournament.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee announced a largely youthful contingent, although seasoned campaigners Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat bring crucial international experience to the side.
The squad’s announcement on August 17, 2026, confirms the absence of regular captain Rashid Khan, along with other prominent players such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai, indicating a strategic decision to blood younger players for the continental multi-sport event. The Asian Games cricket competition is scheduled to run from September 24 to October 3, 2026.
Afghanistan Squad Details and Key Inclusions
The majority of the selected players earned their spots following impressive performances in the recently concluded 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League. Top-order batter Mohammad Akram is a prime example, securing his place after a prolific campaign where he amassed 339 runs in eight innings, including a century and two half-centuries. All-rounder Ismat Alam was another standout, earning the SCL’s best player award with 294 runs and nine wickets.
Other promising young talents included in the squad are wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, and Imran Mir. Their inclusion underscores the ACB’s focus on developing its future stars on a significant international platform.
Here is the full Afghanistan squad for the Asian Games 2026
- Darwish Rasooli (c)
- Mohammad Ishaq (wk)
- 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
- Abdullah Ahmadzai
The Asian Games 2026 cricket tournament will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Afghanistan’s participation comes directly after a three-game T20I series against India in Delhi, scheduled for the week prior to the Games. This crucial series will see Afghanistan designated as the home team, hosting India at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in Delhi.
The decision to rest several senior players for the Asian Games allows Afghanistan to test its bench strength and provide invaluable exposure to emerging cricketers, a move that could significantly bolster their talent pool for future international assignments. This strategic approach highlights Afghanistan’s commitment to long-term player development alongside competitive performance.