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Asian Games 2026 Mens Cricket: On September 24 (Thursday), Afghanistan kicked off their campaign at the Asian Games 2026 in style by defeating Japan by 48 runs in a Group A men's cricket match.
Asian Games 2026 Men's Cricket: AFG vs JPN Match Highlights
Batting first, the Afghanistan team posted a challenging total of 129/6 in their allotted 20 overs. In response, the Japanese team, chasing a target of 130, crumbled against the Afghan bowlers and was bowled out for just 81 runs in 19.3 overs. With this commanding 48-run victory, Afghanistan secured two crucial points and claimed the top spot in the Group A standings.
1st Innings: Akram, Rasooli, and Ishaq Guide Afghanistan to 129/6
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Top-order batter Mohammad Akram played a steady innings of 34 runs to get Afghanistan off to a solid start. In the middle order, captain Darwish Rasooli (29) and Karim Janat (21) steadied the innings. For Japan, Shoma Sugaya-Slater (2/18) and Ibrahim Takahashi (2 wickets) tightened the screws during the middle overs, curbing the run rate. However, Mohammad Ishaq finished explosively, scoring an unbeaten 25 off 17 balls to propel the team to a strong total of 129/6.
Also Read: ICC T20 Bowling Rankings: Abrar Ahmed Becomes No. 1, Varun Chakaravarthy Slips to 7th
2nd Innings: Debutant Arab Gul Takes 4/8 to Trigger Japan Collapse
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Japan made a positive start in their chase of the 130-run target. They held a firm grip on the match in the first 8 overs, reaching 53/2, with Kota Sakurano-Thomas playing a gritty innings of 23 runs.
However, the match turned decisively with the arrival of leg-spinner Arab Gul, who was making his T20 International debut.Arab Gul claimed 4 wickets for just 8 runs in his spell. He dismantled Japan's middle order by taking two wickets in each of his two consecutive overs, causing their score to slump from 60/4 to 63/8.
AFG vs JPN Bowling Figures & Group A Points Table Update
- Arab Gul: 4 wickets (for 8 runs)
- Nangeyalia Kharote: 3 wickets (for 19 runs)
- Abdullah Ahmadzai: 2 wickets (for 13 runs)
Thanks to the spinners' lethal performance, Afghanistan bowled Japan out for 81 runs. In Group A, both Afghanistan and Japan have yet to face Nepal; only the top two teams will secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Also Read: ICC T20I Rankings: Shreyas Iyer Jumps to 22nd, Ishan Kishan Retains No. 1
