Afghanistan vs Japan Asian Games Preview & Tips – Afghanistan to make winning start to Asian Games campaign

By Ben Darvill

22 Sep 2026

Ben Darvill 22 Sep 2026

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Japan have lost their last two in the T20 format
Afghanistan have won four of their last seven across formats (L3)
Preview, stats & head to head

Afghanistan's Najibullah Zadran (Getty Images)

Afghanistan vs Japan Asian Games Preview & Tips
Head To Head
Afghanistan Form
Japan Form

Afghanistan vs Japan Asian Games Preview & Tips

Afghanistan are looking to open their 2026 Asian Games campaign with what should be a regulation win over Japan.

Japan will sense that they have a chance to really shake thinks up at the Asian Games as they take on Afghanistan in their opener.

Japan have lost both of their T20 matches in the build-up to the Asian Games

Head To Head

This will be the first time the two nations have met in a competitive T20 match.

Afghanistan Form

Afghanistan were no match for India in their three-game T20 series as they slumped to a 3-0 loss that came with defeats by seven wickets twice and 127 runs in the third T20.

Their team for that series looked markedly different to the side that will play at the Asian Games, with the squad not involved at the tournament much stronger. Afghanistan’s aim across the competition will be to make it to the knockout stage and try to upset the established order.

The likes of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka already sit in the quarter finals. Afghanistan will fancy their chances against any of Bangladesh, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, and I back them to start their campaign with a win despite missing a number of big names.

Japan Form

Japan slipped to another defeat in their last outing before the Asian Games, although the restricted format of their clash with India almost ended in an unlikely win.

Against India, Japan were on the cusp of a major result as they slipped to a two-run loss. It is worth noting that this was a match restricted to five-overs-per-side, which can often see even the most unbelievable result brought into the equation. Despite being right in the game, Japan could not get over the line as India ground out a win.

Their match against Afghanistan will be quickly followed by an entirely winnable game against Nepal. While I do not back Japan to win their opener, they will hope to build some form of momentum heading their match against Nepal, with the focus on scoring consistently with the bat and posing some kind of threat with the ball.

Verdict

Afghanistan v Japan

I am backing Afghanistan to beat Japan as they start their Asian Games campaign with a win.

Afghanistan

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