Japan vs Afghanistan Preview & Prediction | 2026 Asian Games | Group A
by Alex Sarwar ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
The first match of the men’s cricket tournament at the Asian Games gets underway between host nation Japan and Afghanistan.
Date & time:
Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan
Weather: Cloudy with sunny intervals and temperatures over 30c.
How to watch: UK – Not televised / USA – Willow TV & associated digital platforms
Japan vs Afghanistan prediction
Afghanistan, unlike many other nations will not be fielding their strongest possible squad at the Asian Games with the likes of Rashid Khan, Fazalhaq Farooqi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz all staying at home. Darwish Rasooli will captain the side, which is significantly weakened and it would be no surprise if this winds up costing Afghanistan down the stretch.
However, even a second-string Afghanistan side should still have enough quality to overcome Japan. The host nation are a squad formed of non-professional players, with skipper Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming their top run-scorer. Both Declan Suzuki-McComb and Ibrahim Takahashi are experienced campaigners with over 50 T20i caps each for Japan but the depth of this Japanese side puts them at a disadvantage against the more established cricketing nations. With that in mind, backing Afghanistan has to be favoured here.
Japan vs Afghanistan tip: Afghanistan to win
