Darwish Rasooli to Lead Afghanistan at Asian Games

Afghanistan have named a largely youthful squad for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with Darwish Rasooli set to captain a 15-member side that also includes experienced campaigners Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat.

The squad was selected by the Afghanistan Cricket Board's National Selection Committee, with most players coming from the recently concluded 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League. Regular captain Rashid Khan and other key players including Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Azmatullah Omarzai will not feature.

The Asian Games run from September 24 to October 3. Afghanistan will play India in a three-match T20I series in Delhi the week prior.

Top-order batter Mohammad Akram earned his place after a prolific Shpageeza campaign, scoring 339 runs in eight innings with a century and two fifties. All-rounder Ismat Alam was also rewarded for his tournament performances, finishing with 294 runs and nine wickets, earning the SCL's Best Player award.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal and Imran Mir are among the other young players included, while Najibullah and Janat bring international experience.

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