Afghanistan Announces Squad for 2026 Asian Games; Hassan Isakhel, Son of Nabi, Included for the First Time

Afghanistan has announced a 15-member young squad led by captain Darwish Rasooli for the 2026 Asian Games scheduled to be held in Japan. The team includes experienced players alongside Hassan Isakhel, son of renowned all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, who is included in the senior national team for the first time. Afghanistan is set to compete against Nepal and Japan in the group stage of the Asian Games. (1 Bhadra, Kathmandu)

For the 2026 Asian Games to be hosted in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Afghanistan has named a youthful 15-member cricket team. Emphasizing young talent, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has prepared this squad with Darwish Rasooli as captain. The team comprises experienced players like Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat, along with promising young performers excelling in domestic cricket.

Notably, Hassan Isakhel, son of famous all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, has been selected in the senior national team for the first time. Hassan has previously played for Chitwan Rhinos in the first edition of the Nepal Premier League. His impressive domestic cricket performances have earned him a place in the Asian Games squad. Regular captain Rashid Khan is not part of the Asian Games squad this time.

Key players such as Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ajmatullah Omarzai, and Nabeel have also not been included. Most squad members were selected based on their performances in the recently concluded 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League. In that tournament, Mohammad Akram scored 339 runs in eight innings with one century and two half-centuries. Ismat Alam was named the tournament’s best player after scoring 294 runs and taking nine wickets. The cricket events at the Asian Games will take place from September 24 to October 3. Prior to that, Afghanistan is scheduled to play a three-match T20 international series against India in Delhi.

Afghanistan Squad: Darwish Rasooli (Captain), Mohammad Isak (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Akram, Hassan Isakhel, Khalid Tanival, Imran Mir, Faisal Khan Sinozada, Najibullah Zadran, Farmanullah Safi, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Faridun Daudzai, and Abdullah Ahmadzai.