In the men’s cricket competition at the 20th Asian Games, Afghanistan defeated Japan by 48 runs in the opening match of Group ‘A’. Chasing a target of 130 runs, Japan was bowled out for 81 runs in 19.3 overs, with Afghanistan’s Arab Gul taking 4 wickets.
For Japan, Rio Sakurano Thomas scored the highest with 23 runs, followed by Benjamin Ito Davis with 17 runs and captain Kendal Kadowaki Fleming with 14 runs. Arab Gul was economical and effective, claiming 4 wickets for only 8 runs in 4 overs. Nangelia Kharoti took 3 wickets, Abdullah Ahmadzai 2, and Najibullah Zadran took 1 wicket.
After losing the toss, Afghanistan batted first and posted a total of 129 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs. Mohammad Akram top-scored for Afghanistan with 34 runs, while captain Darwish Rasooli added 29 runs. Mohammad Ishaq remained unbeaten on 25, and Karim Janat contributed 21 runs. For Japan, Shoma Sugaya Slater and Ibrahim Takahashi took 2 wickets each, while Benjamin Ito Davis and Rio Sakurano Thomas claimed 1 wicket each. Nepal is also in the same group and is scheduled to play against Afghanistan on Friday and Japan on Saturday.
