Darwish Rasooli to Lead New-Look Afghanistan at 2026 Asian Games

Afghanistan have named a youthful and largely inexperienced squad for the 2026 Asian Games, with top-order batter Darwish Rasooli appointed captain.

The 15-member squad includes six uncapped players, while another five have fewer than 10 international appearances. Rasooli, Karim Janat and Najibullah Zadran are expected to provide valuable experience, with Nangeyalia Kharote the only other player in the squad to have more than 10 international caps.

Kharote is also expected to lead Afghanistan’s spin attack during the tournament.

The selection reflects Afghanistan’s desire to give opportunities to players who have impressed in domestic cricket, particularly the Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL), one of the country’s leading T20 competitions.

SCL performers rewarded

Mohammad Akram, the second-highest run-scorer in the most recent SCL season, has earned a place in the squad. Khalid Taniwal, who recorded the second-highest strike rate in the competition, has also been rewarded for his performances.

Seam-bowling allrounder Ismat Alam is another notable selection. The 2026 SCL Player of the Tournament scored 294 runs at a strike rate of 168 and claimed nine wickets at an average of 16.77.

Afghanistan have also included several promising young players with recent international or age-group success.

Faisal Shinozada, who scored a century against India in the Under-19 World Cup semi-final in February, has been selected. Hassan Eisakhil, son of Afghanistan allrounder Mohammad Nabi, is another youngster included in the squad.

Fast bowler Farmanullah also makes the team after an impressive performance in the recent one-day tri-series in Sri Lanka involving Sri Lanka A and India A. He finished as the leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets.

Bowling attack

Afghanistan have opted for a relatively small group of specialist spinners. Apart from Kharote, legspinner Arab Gul Momand is the only other specialist spinner in the squad.

The pace-bowling department features Farmanullah, Abdollah Ahmadzai and Faridoon Dawoodzai, with allrounders Ismat Alam and Karim Janat providing additional seam-bowling options.

The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 24 to October 3, 2026. Afghanistan will be hoping their blend of experienced internationals and emerging domestic talent can make an impact at the multi-sport event.

Afghanistan squad for Asian Games 2026

Darwish Rasooli (captain), Mohammad Ishaq (wicketkeeper), 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.