Afghanistan beat Japan 129 to 81 in their men's cricket match at the Asian Games on 24 September 2026. The visitors posted a commanding total before holding firm to secure the win.
Japan's recent form has been mixed. They lost narrowly to Hong Kong 99-95, then edged past Samoa 82-81, before dropping a close one to the Cook Islands 94-90. Their last outing against India ended 32-30, a result that suggested they can compete when tight.
Afghanistan have been involved in some high-scoring encounters of late. They lost to Ireland in both of their last two meetings, 301-343 and 298-302, but those were entertaining games. Against India they have been on the receiving end in three straight matches, but the margins have been smaller each time.
And here's the thing — this result tells you something about where both sides stand. Japan looked short of firepower, while Afghanistan showed they can put runs on the board when it matters. To be fair, the visitors needed this win after a run of narrow defeats.
The win moves Afghanistan further clear at the top of their group, while Japan's campaign faces another hurdle. By then, the gap in momentum will have widened considerably.
