Afghanistan should have too much quality for a Japan side that almost caused a huge upset against India in a warmup game. However, the minnows could struggle for consistency, so we are backing Afghanistan to win with ease.
Key Stats - Japan put in a Strong Showing against India
- Japan’s Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming has scored 37* & 45 in his last 4 knocks.
- Japan’s Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake has scores of 38, 26 & 33 in his last 10 innings.
- Japan’s Charlie Hara-Hinze has taken 11 wickets in 5 innings.
- Afghanistan’s Karim Janat has scored 64, 85, 31, 32 & 27 in his last 9 innings.
- Afghanistan’s Ismat Alam Gurbaz has scores of 20*, 46*, 67 & 23 in his last 5 innings.
- Afghanistan’s Abdollah Ahmadzai has taken 3/38 & 1/38 in his last 2 innings.
First-Ever Meeting
Afghanistan and Japan have never met in a T20I.
Japan almost Shocked the World
Japan enter their Asian Games opener with renewed confidence after pushing world champions India to the final delivery in their historic T20I meeting. Reduced to five overs because of a wet outfield, the contest saw Japan restrict India to 32/4 before finishing agonisingly short on 30/3.
Charlie Hara-Hinze claimed two wickets, while Benjamin Ito-Davis and Ibrahim Takahashi collected one apiece. Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming led the reply with 12 runs.
Japan's bowling has become their biggest strength. Hara-Hinze has taken 14 wickets in his last eight matches, while Takahashi has claimed 12 in nine appearances.
Batting remains less convincing, with Japan managing only 95/7 against Hong Kong recently. Kadowaki-Fleming and Ito-Davis must provide greater stability if the hosts are to challenge Afghanistan over a full 20 overs.
Afghanistan too much quality in their ranks
Afghanistan begin their Asian Games campaign with a substantially different squad from the senior side that recently suffered a 3-0 T20I series defeat against India. Darwish Rasooli takes charge of a youthful group, supported by experienced international players Karim Janat and Najibullah Zadran.
Rasooli has scored 256 runs in his last 10 matches, while Hassan Eisakhil offers another attacking option after accumulating 1,094 runs across 41 career T20 appearances.
Mohammad Akram is another player to watch, having scored 339 runs in eight innings during Afghanistan's domestic Shpageeza Cricket League. All-rounder Ismat Alam also impressed in that competition, contributing 294 runs and nine wickets.
Faridoon Dawoodzai brings considerable wicket-taking ability, with 50 scalps across 41 T20 matches, while Nangyal Kharoti provides an important spin option. Afghanistan's combination of emerging talent and established experience gives them considerable potential despite the unfamiliar conditions.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Japan should retain the core that performed impressively against India, with Kadowaki-Fleming captaining the side and Hara-Hinze, Ito-Davis and Takahashi providing key bowling options.
Afghanistan have selected an emerging squad rather than their established senior combination. Rasooli captains, with Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat adding experience. Mohammad Akram and Ismat Alam earned selection through strong domestic performances.
No confirmed injury absences have been identified in the latest official squad announcements. Final playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
Japan (possible XI): Kendel Kadowaki Fleming (c), Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Ibrahim Takahashi, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Shirai-Patmore, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Charlie Hara-Hinze, Wataru Miyauchi, Declan Suzuki, Makoto Taniyama, Shoma Sugaya-Slater.
Afghanistan (possible XI): Darwish Rasooli (c), Hassan Eisakhil, Imran Mir, Mohammad Ishaq, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Farmanullah, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Arab Gul, Faisal Khan, Faridoon Dawoodzi.