Afghanistan have announced a 15-member squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Darwish Rasooli will captain the side, which includes several young players. The squad also features experienced international players Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat. The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s National Selection Committee picked the team after assessing performances in domestic cricket.
A large number of players in the squad impressed during the recently completed 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League. Afghanistan have used the tournament to identify players for the Asian Games campaign.
Regular captain Rashid Khan will not be part of the squad. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai are also missing from the 15-member team. The Asian Games will be held from September 24 to October 3. Afghanistan are also scheduled to host India in Delhi for a three-match T20I series in the week before the Asian Games.
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Mohammad Akram Earns Selection
Top-order batter Mohammad Akram has been rewarded for his strong showing in the Shpageeza Cricket League. He scored 339 runs in eight innings, including one century and two fifties. All-rounder Ismat Alam also made a strong case for selection. He scored 294 runs and took nine wickets in the tournament. His performances earned him the Shpageeza Cricket League’s best player award.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq is another young player included in the squad. Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal and Imran Mir have also been selected as Afghanistan look to give more opportunities to emerging players.
Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat provide experience to the young squad. The team also includes Faisal Khan Shinozada, Farmanullah Safi, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
Afghanistan Asian Games Squad
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
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