Japan will go head-to-head with Afghanistan in the first match of the Asian Games 2026 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Thursday, September 24.
Led by Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Japan is entering this fixture after a two-run defeat to India in the Only T20I. On the other hand, Afghanistan is entering this campaign after a 0-3 T20I series defeat to India earlier this month.
JAP vs AFG, Asian Games 2026, Match 1, Match Details
Match: Japan vs Afghanistan, Asian Games 2026, Match 1
Time & Date: 5:30 AM IST, Thursday, September 24
Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin
JAP vs AFG, Asian Games 2026, Match 1 Pitch Report
As seen in the just-concluded Women’s Asian Games, we can expect batters and bowlers to do equally well. As the game progresses to the middle overs, we can see spinners do well on this surface. The captain, who won the toss, would love to bowl first.
JAP vs AFG, Asian Games 2026, Match 1 Probable XIs
Japan
Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming (c), Benjamin Ito-Davis, Wataru Miyauchi, Alexander Shirai-Patmore (wk), Charlie Hara-Hinze, Ibrahim Takahashi, Declan Suzuki-McComb, Makoto Taniyama, Shoma Sugaya-Slater
Afghanistan
Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Darwish Rasooli (c), Khalid Taniwal, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Ismat Alam, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Farmanullah Safi
JAP vs AFG, Asian Games 2026, Match 1 Winner Prediction
Match Winner: Afghanistan
These two sides haven’t played against each other in this format. That said, we can expect a lopsided affair, with Afghanistan having a relatively better experience. On that note, we can anticipate Afghanistan to start the Asian Games 2026 campaign on a dominant note.
