Japan vs Afghanistan will open the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026. The match is scheduled for September 24 at Korogi Park in Nisshin, Japan.
This is the first match of Group A, with Nepal also part of the group. The top two teams from Group A will move into the men’s knockout stage.
Japan will have home conditions on their side, while Afghanistan enter the tournament with a squad containing several players with experience at international and franchise level. The match will be played in the T20 format.
Japan vs Afghanistan Match Details
| Details | Information |
| Match | Japan vs Afghanistan |
| Match Number | 1st Match |
| Group | Group A |
| Tournament | Asian Games 2026 |
| Date | 24 September 2026 |
| Day | Thursday |
| Time | 9:00 AM Local Time |
| Time in India | 5:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin |
| Format | T20 |
| Teams | Japan and Afghanistan |
The official Asian Games schedule lists Afghanistan vs Japan as the opening men’s cricket fixture of the tournament, starting at 9:00 AM on September 24.
Japan vs Afghanistan Preview
Japan vs Afghanistan is the first opportunity for both teams to build a strong position in Group A.
The men’s Asian Games cricket tournament features 10 teams. Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal are placed in Group A, while Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman form Group B. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have direct entry into the knockout stage.
That makes this match important for the group standings because both Japan and Afghanistan have only two group matches before the knockout positions are decided.
Afghanistan Cricket Team Preview
Afghanistan come into the Asian Games with a squad led by Darwish Rasooli.
The Afghanistan squad for this match includes players such as Imran Mir, Najibullah Zadran, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Nangeyalia Kharoti, Mohammad Ishaq and Hassan Eisakhil.
The team has a mixture of batters, bowling all-rounders and specialist bowlers, giving Afghanistan different options during the T20 game.
Karim Janat and Nangeyalia Kharoti add all-round options, while Najibullah Zadran brings experience to the batting group. Darwish Rasooli will be responsible for leading the side in this opening Group A fixture.
Afghanistan will want a strong start because their second group match against Nepal is scheduled for September 25, just one day after this game.
Japan Cricket Team Preview
Japan will begin their Asian Games men’s cricket campaign at home against Afghanistan.
The Japan squad is led by Kendel Fleming and includes Benjamin Ito Davis, Reo Sakurano Thomas, Charlie Hara-Hinze, Wataru Miyauchi, Kohei Kubota and Alester Fleming.
Charlie Hara-Hinze is listed as a bowler, while Benjamin Ito Davis, Reo Sakurano Thomas and several others provide all-round options.
Japan have also been active in T20 cricket leading into the Asian Games. The Japan Cricket Association lists their recent T20I against Hong Kong on September 19, while the Afghanistan fixture is their next Asian Games match.
Playing at Korogi Park also gives Japan familiar surroundings for this opening game.
Japan vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head
There is limited senior international history between Japan and Afghanistan compared with more established cricketing rivalries.
This Asian Games meeting therefore gives both sides a fresh competitive contest in T20 cricket.
For Japan, the focus will be on using home conditions effectively. Afghanistan will look to use their greater exposure to high-level T20 cricket and their balanced squad.
The result will also have an immediate effect on the Group A standings.
Players to Watch
1. Kendel Fleming – Japan
Kendel Fleming is the captain of the Japan men’s team and one of the players expected to play an important role in the team’s campaign.
He is listed as a batter and will have responsibility with both leadership and batting during the tournament.
2. Charlie Hara-Hinze – Japan
Charlie Hara-Hinze is a left-arm orthodox bowler who can also contribute with the bat.
His bowling style can give Japan an option in the middle overs, particularly if the pitch provides assistance to slower bowling.
3. Darwish Rasooli – Afghanistan
Darwish Rasooli will captain Afghanistan in this opening Group A match.
His role at the top of the Afghanistan setup makes him an important player to follow as the team begins its Asian Games campaign.
4. Karim Janat – Afghanistan
Karim Janat is listed as a bowling all-rounder in the Afghanistan squad.
His ability to contribute in both departments can provide Afghanistan with flexibility during the T20 match.
Korogi Sports Park Pitch and Conditions
The Japan vs Afghanistan match will be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, where the Asian Games cricket matches are being held.
The venue is also hosting the other men’s and women’s cricket fixtures during the competition.
The conditions will be particularly interesting because Afghanistan and Japan have different styles and levels of experience in international cricket.
For fantasy cricket and match analysis, the toss, playing XI and early pitch behaviour will be useful factors to check before the start.
Japan vs Afghanistan Group A Situation
Group A contains three teams:
- Afghanistan
- Japan
- Nepal
Each team will play the other teams in the group during the preliminary stage.
Afghanistan face Japan on September 24 and Nepal on September 25, while Japan meet Nepal on September 26. The top two teams from the group advance to the men’s quarter-finals.
The second-placed team in Group A is scheduled to face India in the quarter-final on September 28, while the Group A winner will meet Sri Lanka on September 29.
What to Expect From Japan vs Afghanistan
The opening overs could be important because both teams will want to establish control early.
Afghanistan have several players who can contribute with bat and ball, while Japan will look to make the most of familiar conditions and their home advantage.
The middle overs could become another key phase. Afghanistan have multiple all-round bowling options, while Japan also have players capable of contributing in more than one department.
The final overs should provide another important contest, especially if the game remains close heading into the last five overs.
For users following live cricket, Lotusbook also provides live betting options while matches are in progress, giving users another way to follow the action during Japan vs Afghanistan.
Japan vs Afghanistan Live Match Updates
The Japan vs Afghanistan match will be played on September 24 at 9:00 AM local time, which is 5:30 AM IST.
The official Japan Cricket Association has also listed the fixture as Afghanistan vs Japan at Korogi Park, confirming the match date and venue.
Live score updates, playing XIs, toss information and match developments will be important for followers before and during the game.
Users checking Lotus or Lotusbook for live cricket betting can follow the available options as the game moves through different stages.
Japan vs Afghanistan FAQs
1. When is Japan vs Afghanistan 1st Match?
Japan vs Afghanistan will be played on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
2. What time does Japan vs Afghanistan start?
The match starts at 9:00 AM local time in Japan and 5:30 AM IST in India.
3. Where will Japan vs Afghanistan be played?
The match will be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
4. Which group is Japan vs Afghanistan part of?
Japan vs Afghanistan is the first match of Group A in the men’s Asian Games 2026 cricket competition.
5. Who else is in Group A?
Nepal is the third team in Group A alongside Japan and Afghanistan.
6. What format will Japan vs Afghanistan be played in?
The match will be played in the T20 format.
7. Who is the captain of Japan?
Kendel Fleming is listed as the captain of Japan for the fixture.
8. Who is the captain of Afghanistan?
Darwish Rasooli is listed as the Afghanistan captain for the match.
9. When will Japan play Nepal?
Japan are scheduled to face Nepal on September 26, 2026, in the third Group A match.
10. When will Afghanistan play Nepal?
Afghanistan are scheduled to play Nepal on September 25, 2026.
Final Match Preview
Japan vs Afghanistan will open the men’s cricket schedule at the Asian Games 2026.
With Japan playing at home and Afghanistan bringing a balanced T20 squad, the first Group A match should provide an interesting start to the preliminary stage.
The result will give the winning side an early advantage in the race for the top two places in Group A, with Nepal still to play both teams.
Keep checking for the latest Japan vs Afghanistan team news, playing XI, toss result, live score and match updates before the game begins.