Afghanistan are favoured in this Japan vs Afghanistan match prediction, holding a 54% win probability against Japan’s 46% as the two sides open their Asian Games campaign at Korogi Sports Park. Darwish Rasooli’s side carry far greater international pedigree and firepower with both bat and ball, even after a lopsided defeat to India, while Japan will need a disciplined, high-energy display to trouble a stronger opponent. This preview covers the pitch, toss call, playing XI pointers and fantasy cricket tips for the JPN vs AFG series opener in Nisshin.
Japan vs Afghanistan Match Details
Match | Japan vs Afghanistan | 1st Match | Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition |
Date | 24/09/2026 (Thursday) |
Time | BDT 6:00 AM / PKT 5:00 AM / INR 5:30 AM |
Format | T20 |
Venue | Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin |
Recent performance | Japan – W W L A L, Afghanistan – W W L L L |
JPN vs AFG Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026: Live Streaming & Broadcast Info
Coverage of this fixture is spread across regional broadcasters and digital platforms depending on where you are watching from.
- Pakistan: Ten Sports, A Sports (TV); Tapmad, Tamasha (Digital)
- India: Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3, Sony Sports Ten 5 (TV); Sony LIV (Digital)
- Bangladesh: T Sports (TV); T Sports App (Digital)
- USA & Canada: Willow TV (Digital)
- Sri Lanka: Supreme TV, Sony Sports Network (TV); Dialog Viu, Sony LIV (Digital)
- Nepal: Sony Sports Network (TV); Sony LIV (Digital)
- MENA: CricLife, BeIN Sports (TV); TOD, STARZPLAY (Digital)
- Worldwide: Matches available via Sports Live Hub for global streaming access across regions.
Japan vs Afghanistan Toss Prediction
Afghanistan are tipped to win the toss at Korogi Sports Park and bat first, using their superior batting depth to set a target rather than chase on an unfamiliar surface. With no historical data from this ground, conditions remain something of an unknown, adding a layer of intrigue to the toss call.
Korogi Sports Park Pitch Report
No specific pitch data was made available for this fixture, and with Japan and Afghanistan never having met before, there is no head-to-head history at this venue to draw on either. Grounds used for Asian Games cricket in Japan have generally played as fair, true surfaces for batting once sighted, and this Japan vs Afghanistan preview expects both sides to look to build steadily rather than take early risks against the new ball.
Weather Report
No specific temperature or dew figures were supplied for this fixture. An early-morning start in Nisshin points to cooler conditions and some early moisture in the air, which could offer a little help to the bowlers with the new ball before the pitch dries out as the match progresses.
JPN vs AFG Head-to-Head Records
Matches Played | 0 |
Japan Won | 0 |
Afghanistan Won | 0 |
Tied | 0 |
No Result | 0 |
First-ever Fixture | September 24, 2026 |
Most-recent Fixture | None |
Japan vs Afghanistan Team Preview & Squads
Japan
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming’s leadership will be tested early in this Asian Games campaign, with the captain needing to marshal a young group against a far more experienced Afghanistan side. The batting structure leans on Ibrahim Takahashi to anchor the innings, with Kadowaki-Fleming himself expected to provide impetus at the top of the order after a mixed run of recent results.
With the ball, Charlie Hara-Hinze leads the attack and will be key to restricting a dangerous Afghanistan top order, while Declan Suzuki’s all-round balance gives Japan a bit more depth to work with in this JPN vs AFG contest.
Japan Squads:
Japan
Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, Charlie Hara-Hinze, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Alester Kadowaki Fleming, Kohei Kubota, Jake Kusuda-Nairn, Wataru Miyauchi, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Shirai-Patmore, Shoma Sugaya-Slater, Declan Suzuki, Tsuyoshi Takada, Ibrahim Takahashi, Makoto Taniyama, Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake
Afghanistan
Darwish Rasooli’s captaincy brings a wealth of international experience to this contest, and his own explosive batting gives Afghanistan a genuine advantage at the top of the order against a less-tested Japan attack. The batting structure is built firmly around Rasooli, with the rest of the order expected to play around his aggression after a heavy defeat to India left plenty to prove.
Afghanistan’s bowling is spearheaded by Farmanullah with the new ball, while Abdollah Ahmadzai’s all-round skills add control and depth, giving the side the tools to defend or chase against Japan.
Afghanistan Squads:
Afghanistan
Darwish Rasooli, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Arab Gul, Faisal Khan Ahmadzai, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Farmanullah, Hassan Eisakhil, Imran Mir, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Khalid Taniwal, Mahmood Kharoti, Mohammad Akram, Mohammad Ishaq, Najibullah Zadran
JPN vs AFG Prediction
Event | Japan | Afghanistan |
Toss Winner | – | Afghanistan |
Player of the Match | – | Darwish Rasooli |
Top Run Scorer | Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming | Darwish Rasooli |
Top Wicket Taker | Charlie Hara-Hinze | Abdollah Ahmadzai |
Most Sixes | Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming | Darwish Rasooli |
Predicted Score | 170+ | 180+ |
Win Probability | 46% | 54% |
Japan vs Afghanistan Winning Prediction
Afghanistan head into their Asian Games opener as 54% favourites against Japan’s 46%, with Darwish Rasooli’s experience and firepower at the top of the order the likely difference-maker against a spirited but less battle-hardened Japan side. Can Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming spring a surprise on home soil, or does Afghanistan’s greater depth prove decisive at Korogi Sports Park? Stay with JeetBuzz for live updates, stats and in-depth analysis through every over of this fixture.
FAQ: Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 1st Match
Q1. What time does the Japan vs Afghanistan 1st Match start in IST?
- The match starts at 5:30 AM IST at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin.
Q2. Where can I watch the Japan vs Afghanistan 1st Match live?
- The match is available to steam live on Sports Live Hub (SLH).
Q3. Who is the key player to watch in this match?
- Darwish Rasooli is the key player to watch as Afghanistan’s captain and leading batter.