Afghanistan aims to secure a knockout spot as they face a formidable Nepal senior side in Match 4 of the 2026 Asian Games. Afghanistan enters the contest with momentum, having defended 129 to defeat Japan by 48 runs. While the Afghan squad is largely developmental, the presence of veterans like Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat provides necessary backbone on the challenging surfaces in Nisshin.
Nepal begins their campaign with a full-strength senior roster, offering them a distinct advantage in terms of international experience. This fixture presents a fascinating tactical battle: Nepal’s seasoned core versus an Afghan bowling unit that has already successfully adapted to the slow, spin-heavy conditions at Korogi Sports Park.
Match Identity
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Afghanistan vs Nepal, Asian Games 2026 (Match 4) |
| Venue | Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan |
| Date | September 25, 2026 |
| Time | 10:30 AM IST |
| Format | T20I |
Pitch Report
The track at Korogi Sports Park is slow and heavily favors spin. Based on recent tournament action, run-scoring is a significant challenge, with an average first-innings score between 128 and 130. While pacers may find brief swing with the new ball, the middle overs belong to the spinners who can extract significant grip and turn. Historical data suggests a strong advantage for the side batting first, which holds an 80% win rate in recent matches at this venue.
Probable Playing XIs
Afghanistan Probable XI
Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Darwish Rasooli (c), Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Nangyalai Kharote, Arab Gul Momand, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Farmanullah Safi, Faridoon Dawoodzai.
Nepal Probable XI
Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh (wk), Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee (c), Kushal Malla, Sundeep Jora, Gulsan Jha, Sompal Kami, Karan KC, Sandeep Lamichhane, Lalit Rajbanshi.
Fantasy Cricket Picks
Wicketkeeper
- Aasif Sheikh: Nepal’s primary opener who excels at anchoring the innings on surfaces where the ball stops and turns.
Batters
- Najibullah Zadran: A veteran of over 200 internationals, his power-hitting in the middle order is vital for Afghanistan on slow tracks.
- Rohit Paudel: The technically sound Nepalese batter who is traditionally reliable against both pace and spin.
- Darwish Rasooli: The Afghan skipper provides stability at the top and will be looking to lead from the front.
All-rounders
- Dipendra Singh Airee: A top-tier pick who offers four overs of disciplined off-break and aggressive middle-order batting.
- Karim Janat: Brings senior-level experience; he is expected to handle death-bowling duties and provide late-order cameos.
- Kushal Malla: A dangerous left-hander who can clear boundaries and provide useful left-arm spin.
Bowlers
- Arab Gul Momand: After a match-winning 4/8 in his last outing, the leg-spinner is a critical asset on this surface.
- Sandeep Lamichhane: Nepal’s premier leg-spinner whose world-class variations are expected to thrive in Japanese conditions.
- Karan KC: Offers veteran experience with the new ball and is a capable contributor with the bat if the top order fails.
Suggested Fantasy XI
| Wicketkeeper | Aasif Sheikh |
| Batters | Najibullah Zadran, Rohit Paudel, Darwish Rasooli |
| All-rounders | Dipendra Singh Airee (C), Karim Janat, Kushal Malla, Nangyalai Kharote |
| Bowlers | Arab Gul Momand (VC), Sandeep Lamichhane, Karan KC |
Match Prediction
CricXtra Prediction: This is a contest between Nepal’s senior-level experience and Afghanistan’s localized form. While Afghanistan has the advantage of having already played and won at this venue, Nepal’s full-strength squad provides them with a higher ceiling in pressure situations. Nepal enters as slight favorites, though the toss will be crucial given the extreme difficulty of chasing at Korogi Sports Park.
