New skipper leads Afghanistan squad at Asian Games
The squad reflects a clear focus on emerging talent, with six players in line to make their international debuts.
Afghanistan will look to the next generation of talent to make an impression at the 2026 Asian Games, with Darwish Rasooli named captain of a 15-member squad for the cricket competition in Aichi-Nagoya.
Rasooli has captained Afghanistan once before, in a one-off T20I against Qatar, which was won by Afghanistan courtesy his 66.
Rasooli (33 caps), Karim Janat (80 caps) and Najibullah Zadran (199 caps) bring the bulk of the experience, while Nangeyalia Kharote is the only other player in the group with more than 10 caps.
Kharote is expected to play a key role with the ball, leading a spin attack that also includes legspinner Arab Gul Momand.
The pace options are Farmanullah, Abdollah Ahmadzai and Faridoon Dawoodzai, with allrounders Ismat Alam and Janat providing further seam-bowling options.
Several players have earned their opportunity after standout performances in Afghanistan's domestic T20 competition, the Shpageeza Cricket League.
Mohammad Akram, the second-highest run-scorer in the most recent SCL season, has been rewarded for his consistency, while Khalid Taniwal's impressive strike rate has also earned him a place in the squad.
Ismat was arguably the standout performer of the tournament. The seam-bowling allrounder finished as Player of the Tournament after striking 294 runs at 168 and claiming nine wickets at an average of 16.77. He has also represented Afghanistan in two Tests.
Faisal Shinozada, who scored a century against India in the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup semi-final in February, while Hassan Eisakhil, son of Afghanistan great Mohammad Nabi, has also been included.
The cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games will take place from September 24 to October 3 in Japan.
Afghanistan squad for Asian Games 2026
Darwish Rasooli (capt), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Imran Mir, Faisal Shinozada, Najibullah Zadran, Farmanullah, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Abdollah Ahmadzai.