Japan vs Afghanistan will open the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games 2026. The two teams meet in the first Group A match on Thursday, September 24 at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin.
The match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM local time, which is 5:30 AM IST. Afghanistan, Japan, and Nepal form Group A, with the top two teams moving into the quarter-finals.
The Japan vs Afghanistan match is therefore an important start to the preliminary stage. Both teams will want a positive result before Group A continues with Afghanistan vs Nepal and Japan vs Nepal.
Japan vs Afghanistan Match Details
| Match | Japan vs Afghanistan |
| Competition | Asian Games 2026 |
| Match | 1st Match, Group A |
| Date | Thursday, September 24, 2026 |
| Time | 9:00 AM Local / 5:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan |
| Format | T20 |
| Group | Group A |
The official Asian Games schedule lists Afghanistan vs Japan as CKT09 on September 24 at 9:00 AM, while the Japan Cricket Association also confirms the fixture at Korogi Park.
Japan vs Afghanistan Asian Games 2026 Preview
The Japan vs Afghanistan contest is the first match of the men’s Asian Games 2026 cricket tournament.
The men’s competition runs from September 24 to October 3 and features 10 teams. Six teams begin in the preliminary group stage, while India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka have direct entry into the quarter-finals.
Japan and Afghanistan are both in Group A with Nepal. Each team will play the other two sides once, giving every result importance in the race for the top two positions.
For Japan, playing at home adds another element to the opening fixture. Afghanistan will come into the game with a strong international cricket background and will look to begin the tournament with a win.
Japan Cricket Team
Japan enters the Asian Games 2026 men’s tournament as one of the teams competing through the preliminary group stage.
The Japan cricket team has players with experience in the country’s domestic and international setup. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming is listed as captain, while Benjamin Ito-Davis, Charlie Hara-Hinze and several other players form part of the announced squad.
Playing at Korogi Sports Park also gives Japan familiarity with the venue. The ground has hosted international cricket in 2026 before being used for the Asian Games.
Japan’s immediate target will be to make a strong start against Afghanistan and collect points before facing Nepal in their second group match.
Afghanistan Cricket Team
Afghanistan arrives for the Asian Games 2026 with a squad featuring several players familiar to followers of Afghan cricket.
Darwish Rasooli is listed as captain for the tournament, with players including Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Nangeyalia Kharoti and Mohammad Ishaq included in the squad.
The Afghanistan cricket team will begin its Group A campaign against Japan before playing Nepal on September 25.
With only two group matches for each side, Afghanistan will have limited room for mistakes during the preliminary stage. A good start against Japan would put the team in a useful position ahead of its next fixture.
Japan vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head
The Japan vs Afghanistan fixture is part of the Asian Games 2026 men’s T20 competition.
Rather than relying heavily on historical head-to-head records, the main focus for this match will be the current squads, recent form, conditions, and performances at the tournament venue.
Japan will have local familiarity on its side, while Afghanistan brings experience from a broader international cricket environment.
This makes JPN vs AFG an interesting opening fixture in Group A.
Group A Situation
Group A contains three teams:
- Afghanistan
- Japan
- Nepal
The group schedule is compact, with all three teams playing two matches each.
The first game is Japan vs Afghanistan on September 24. Afghanistan then faces Nepal on September 25, followed by Japan vs Nepal on September 26.
The top two teams from Group A will qualify for the quarter-finals. The second-placed Group A team is scheduled to face India in the quarter-final stage, while the Group A winner has a different knockout path.
Japan vs Afghanistan Venue
The match will take place at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture.
Korogi Sports Park is being used as the main cricket venue for the Asian Games 2026. The men’s tournament, including the preliminary matches and knockout fixtures, is scheduled to be played there.
The venue has already hosted international cricket in 2026. For the Japan vs Afghanistan match, conditions at the venue will be one of the factors to follow once the teams take the field.
Japan vs Afghanistan Match Conditions
T20 cricket can change quickly, so the first few overs may have a major role in setting the direction of the game.
Batters will look for a quick start, while bowlers will try to make use of any movement or assistance available early in the innings.
The team that handles the middle overs effectively can also gain an advantage. In a short format, losing wickets in clusters can put pressure on the batting side very quickly.
The toss and playing conditions should therefore be followed before considering the final match combination.
Players to Watch
1. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming is listed as Japan’s captain for the Asian Games 2026 squad. He is a left-handed batter and right-arm off-spin bowler.
His all-round contribution could be important for Japan during the Group A campaign.
2. Charlie Hara-Hinze
Charlie Hara-Hinze is another Japan player to watch. He is listed as a left-handed batter and left-arm orthodox bowler.
His ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives Japan another useful option in the T20 format.
3. Darwish Rasooli
Darwish Rasooli will captain Afghanistan in the Asian Games 2026 men’s competition. His leadership will be important as Afghanistan begins its short Group A campaign.
4. Najibullah Zadran
Najibullah Zadran is part of Afghanistan’s announced squad for the tournament. His experience adds another name to watch in the Afghanistan batting group.
Japan vs Afghanistan Live Match Updates
Fans following Japan vs Afghanistan can track the match for live scores, wickets, runs, overs, playing XIs and major developments as the game progresses.
The JPN vs AFG fixture is the first men’s cricket match of the Asian Games 2026, so the result will also provide the first indication of how Group A is developing.
Gold365 also provides live sports and live betting options, allowing users to follow available cricket betting options while a match is in progress.
What to Expect From Japan vs Afghanistan
The Japan vs Afghanistan match brings together a home side familiar with the conditions and an Afghanistan team with wider international cricket experience.
Japan will want to use its knowledge of the venue and home conditions effectively. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look to make its experience count from the beginning.
The compact Group A schedule means neither side can afford to treat the opening fixture lightly. Afghanistan will face Nepal the following day, while Japan’s next game against Nepal is scheduled for September 26.
This makes the opening result particularly relevant to the qualification picture.
Gold365 and Japan vs Afghanistan
Gold365 covers cricket and other sports with options for following live matches and available live betting markets.
For users already using Gold365, the Japan vs Afghanistan fixture can be followed through the relevant cricket and live match sections as the game progresses.
Users should check the available options and applicable terms before participating.
Japan vs Afghanistan FAQs
1. When is Japan vs Afghanistan in the Asian Games 2026?
Japan vs Afghanistan is scheduled for Thursday, September 24, 2026.
2. What time does Japan vs Afghanistan start?
The match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM local time in Japan, which is 5:30 AM IST.
3. Where will Japan vs Afghanistan be played?
The match will be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
4. Which group is Japan vs Afghanistan part of?
Japan vs Afghanistan is the 1st Match of Group A in the men’s Asian Games 2026 cricket competition.
5. Who else is in Group A?
Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal are the three teams in Group A.
6. What happens after the Group A matches?
The top two teams from Group A qualify for the quarter-finals of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket tournament.
7. When is Afghanistan’s next Group A match?
Afghanistan is scheduled to play Nepal on September 25, one day after the Japan vs Afghanistan match.
8. When does Japan play its next Group A match?
Japan is scheduled to face Nepal on September 26.
9. What format will Japan vs Afghanistan use?
The Asian Games 2026 cricket competition is being played in the T20 format.
10. Where can I follow Japan vs Afghanistan updates?
You can follow live scores, match developments, team information and other updates as Japan vs Afghanistan takes place. Gold365 also has cricket and live match sections for users who want to check available live betting options.
