Afghanistan Beat Japan in Asian Games Opener Behind Spin Duo Gul and Kharote

Afghanistan kicked off their 2026 Asian Games men’s T20 cricket campaign with a convincing 48-run victory over hosts Japan at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.

1st Innings: Afghanistan 129/6 (20 overs)

Unsteady Top Order: Opting to bowl after winning the toss, Japan restricted Afghanistan's top order with disciplined bowling. Hassan Eisakhil fell early for 3, but Mohammad Akram steadied the ship with a crisp 34 off 29 balls.  

Middle-Order Tightness: Japan's spin and medium-pace options—led by Ibrahim Takahashi (2/19) and Shoma Sugaya-Slater (2/18)—stifled Afghanistan, reduced to 79/4 in the 16th over.

Late Firepower: Captain Darwish Rasooli (29 off 27) and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq (unbeaten 25 off 17) forged a crucial 44-run stand to push Afghanistan to a competitive total of 129.  

2nd Innings: Japan 81 all out (19.3 overs)

Top-Order Stumble: Japan’s pursuit of 130 got off to a slow start. Opening batter Reo Sakurano-Thomas top-scored with 23 off 24 balls, but Afghanistan’s change-bowlers quickly took control.  

Spin Web: Leg-spinner Arab Gul Momand ran through Japan's middle order, producing a sensational spell of 4/8 in his 4 overs, including two maidens.

Clean Sweep: Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote wrapped up the tail, finishing with 3/19 in 3.3 overs. Japan lost their last six wickets for just 18 runs, collapsing from 63/4 to 81 all out.  

Brief Scorecard

Afghanistan: 129/6 in 20 overs (Mohammad Akram 34, Darwish Rasooli 29, Mohammad Ishaq 25; Shoma Sugaya-Slater 2/18, Ibrahim Takahashi 2/19) | Japan: 81 all out in 19.3 overs (Reo Sakurano-Thomas 23, Benjamin Ito-Davis 17; Arab Gul 4/8, Nangeyalia Kharote 3/19) | Result: Afghanistan won by 48 runs.