Stars rested, youth unleashed: Rasooli to lead a fresh-look Afghanistan at the Asian Games

Afghanistan have opted to look to the future for the 2026 Asian Games, announcing a youthful 15-member squad that will be led by Darwish Rasooli. In a significant call, the Afghanistan Cricket Board's National Selection Committee has left out several established stars, including regular skipper Rashid Khan, in order to hand opportunities to a host of emerging players.

The men's cricket competition will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 24 to October 3, providing a fresh-look Afghan side with a valuable platform to test their depth on the international stage.

Rasooli handed the reins

The headline announcement from the squad was the appointment of Darwish Rasooli as captain. The batter is no stranger to leadership, having previously led Afghanistan, and brings valuable experience to a side largely composed of players looking to establish themselves.

His appointment signals the ACB's intent to blend a degree of leadership nous with the raw potential of the emerging group. Rasooli will be tasked with guiding a young unit through the pressures of a multi-sport event.

Big names left out

The most striking aspect of the selection was the absence of several marquee names. Regular captain Rashid Khan, one of the finest bowlers in the world, has not been included, nor have established figures such as wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz and all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai.

Their omission reflects a deliberate policy decision rather than any sign of a snub, with the selectors clearly using the tournament as an opportunity to broaden their pool and manage the workloads of their senior stars amid a congested calendar.

A reward for domestic form

The squad has been chosen largely on the strength of performances in the recently concluded 11th edition of the Shpageeza Cricket League, Afghanistan's premier domestic T20 competition. It represents a clear pathway from domestic success to international opportunity.

In addition, several players who have represented Afghanistan A have been rewarded for their progress. The selection philosophy underlines the ACB's commitment to nurturing home-grown talent and providing a genuine route to the senior setup for those performing on the domestic circuit.

A chance to shine

For the many uncapped and fringe players in the squad, the Asian Games represent a golden opportunity to make a lasting impression. With the established core largely absent, there is a clear path for individuals to stake a stronger claim for future senior-team selection.

A number of the squad members have already gained valuable experience through Afghanistan's A-team setup, meaning they will not be entirely unfamiliar with the demands of representative cricket. The tournament allows the selectors to assess this emerging talent in a competitive environment.

The bigger picture

The decision to send an experimental side to the Asian Games fits into Afghanistan's broader planning. With key figures being rested, the campaign offers a low-risk environment in which to evaluate the next generation of players coming through the ranks.

It is an approach several nations have adopted for the multi-sport event, prioritising the development of depth over the pursuit of a medal with a full-strength side. For Afghanistan, whose rise in world cricket has been built on an expanding talent base, this represents a logical step.

The competition format

Afghanistan will need to navigate a preliminary round to reach the knockout stages of the men's T20 competition. As one of the lower-seeded nations, they have been drawn in a group alongside Japan and Nepal, with the top two sides advancing to the quarter-finals.

The tournament features the leading Asian nations, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, who all receive byes directly into the quarter-finals as the top four seeds. It promises to be a stern test for Afghanistan's youthful outfit.

Afghanistan's squad for the Asian Games 2026

Darwish Rasooli (captain), Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Khalid Taniwal, Imran Mir, Faisal Khan Shinozada, Najibullah Zadran, Farmanullah Safi, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Arab Gul Momand, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Abdullah Ahmadzai.

The final word

Afghanistan's approach to the 2026 Asian Games is a clear statement of intent regarding their long-term development. By resting the likes of Rashid Khan and Gurbaz and entrusting the campaign to a youthful, domestically-forged squad under Darwish Rasooli, the ACB is investing in its future. While a deep run in the tournament will be a challenge without their biggest names, the experience gained by these emerging players could prove invaluable as Afghanistan continue their remarkable journey in world cricket.