The Afghanistan Cricket Board has unveiled a youthful 15-member squad for the 2026 Asian Games, set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 24 to October 3. Darwish Rasooli has been appointed captain of the side, which blends emerging talent with the international experience of veterans Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat.
The National Selection Committee finalized the roster primarily based on performances during the 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League. Notably, the squad will exclude several senior regulars, including captain Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Azmatullah Omarzai. This selection shift occurs as the senior team prepares to host India in Delhi for a three-match T20I series scheduled for the week preceding the Asian Games.
Several players earned their call-ups through standout individual displays in the Shpageeza competition. Top-order batter Mohammad Akram secured his spot after scoring 339 runs across eight innings, a tally that included one century and two half-centuries. All-rounder Ismat Alam was also rewarded for his versatility, having been named the tournament’s best player after contributing 294 runs and taking nine wickets.
The remainder of the squad features a mix of promising prospects, including wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, and Imran Mir. The full traveling party consists of 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, and Abdullah Ahmadzai.
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