Afghanistan’s Abdaliyan cricket team defeated hosts Japan by 48 runs in their opening match of the 20th Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya.
Japan won the toss at the start of the match and elected to field first, sending Afghanistan in to bat. Afghanistan scored 129 runs for the loss of six wickets, setting Japan a target of 130 runs.
Mohammad Akram top-scored for Afghanistan with 34 runs, followed by captain Darwish Rasooli with 29, Mohammad Ishaq with 25, and Karim Janat with 21.
Japan failed to chase down the target, with the entire team bowled out for 81 runs in 19.3 overs.
Afghanistan are placed in Group alongside Japan and Nepal in the group stage of the competition. In the previous edition of the Asian Games, the Abdaliyan reached the final and won the silver medal.
Afghanistan will face Nepal in their second group-stage match on Friday, 3 Mizan.
Writer:Roya Stanikzai
