Darwish Rasooli to Lead Afghanistan’s New-Look Asian Games Squad

Afghanistan have handed the captaincy to top-order batter Darwish Rasooli for the 2026 Asian Games, while six uncapped players have earned places in a 15-member squad that has a distinctly inexperienced look.

Five more players in the group have fewer than 10 international appearances. Rasooli, Karim Janat and Najibullah Zadran are expected to provide the senior presence, with Nangeyalia Kharote the only other player in the squad to have crossed the 10-cap mark.

The selection also gives Afghanistan’s domestic performers a clear route into the national setup.

Mohammad Akram, the second-highest run-scorer in the most recent Shpageeza Cricket League season, has been rewarded with a place. Khalid Taniwal, who posted the second-best strike rate in the competition, is another SCL standout heading to Japan.

Ismat Alam has also forced his way into the squad after a strong domestic campaign. The seam-bowling allrounder scored 294 runs at a strike rate of 168 and claimed nine wickets at 16.77 during the SCL, earning Player-of-the-Tournament honours.

Young Faces Get Their Chance

The squad also includes several names who have already caught attention on the international stage at junior or emerging level.

Faisal Shinozada earned his place after smashing a century against India in the Under-19 World Cup semi-final in February. Hassan Eisakhil, son of Afghanistan allrounder Mohammad Nabi, has also been selected.

Fast bowler Farmanullah arrives with strong recent form. He took 10 wickets in the one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka involving Sri Lanka A and India A, finishing as the leading wicket-taker.

Kharote is expected to spearhead the spin attack alongside legspinner Arab Gul Momand. The pace group features Farmanullah, Abdollah Ahmadzai and Faridoon Dawoodzai, with Ismat and Janat adding allround options.

The Afghanistan cricket squad will compete at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 24 to October 3.

For Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Asian Games 2026 campaign will also offer an important test of the country's next generation.

Afghanistan Squad for Asian Games 2026

Darwish Rasooli (capt), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Hassan Eisakhil, Mohammad Akram, Khalid Taniwal, Imran Mir, Najibullah Zadran, Faisal Shinozada, Farmanullah, Karim Janat, Ismat Alam, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Faridoon Dawoodzai.