Home / Sports / Rasooli to Captain Afghanistan's Cricket Squad at 2026 Asian Games
Rasooli to Captain Afghanistan's Cricket Squad at 2026 Asian Games
17 Aug
Summary
- Darwish Rasooli appointed captain of Afghanistan's cricket team.
- Squad blends experienced players with Shpageeza League talent.
- Afghanistan has secured three silver medals in past Asian Games.
Afghanistan's men's cricket squad for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, will be captained by middle-order batter Darwish Rasooli. The Games are scheduled to occur from September 17 to October 3 at the Korogi Sports Park.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board's selection committee has finalized a 15-player team, balancing established international experience with emerging talent from the recent Shpageeza Cricket League. Veterans Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat are included alongside standout performers from the league.
Mohammad Akram, a consistent top-order batter, earned his national call-up with 339 runs in eight Shpageeza League matches, including a century. All-rounder Ismat Alam, who garnered Player of the Tournament for his 294 runs and nine wickets, also joins the squad. Young talents Hassan Eisakhil, Faisal Khan Shinozada, and Nangyal Kharoti are among the promising players selected.
Afghanistan has a history of success in the Asian Games men's cricket event, having clinched silver medals in 2010, 2014, and 2022. This upcoming edition will be cricket's fourth appearance at the Games, with ten teams participating. India currently holds the titles for both men's and women's cricket events.
