The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Afghanistan opened its men’s cricket campaign at the Asian Games with a 48-run victory over host Japan on Thursday, bowling out the Japanese side for 81 after setting a target of 130.
Japan won the toss and elected to bowl at Korogi Sports
Park. Afghanistan scored 129 for six in its 20 overs, with Mohammad Akram
leading the way with 34 runs off 29 balls. Captain Darwish Rasooli added 29
from 27 balls, while Mohammad Ishaq remained unbeaten on 25 from 17 deliveries.
Japan’s Ibrahim Takahashi took two wickets for 19 runs,
while Shoma Sugaya-Slater claimed two for 18.
Afghanistan’s bowlers then dismissed Japan for 81 in 19.3
overs.
Arab Gul led the Afghan attack with four wickets for eight
runs in four overs, including two maiden overs. Nangeyalia Kharote took three
wickets for 19 runs, while Abdullah Ahmadzai claimed two for 13.
Reo Sakurano-Thomas top-scored for Japan with 23 runs from
24 balls. Benjamin Ito-Davis made 17 from eight deliveries, and captain Kendel
Kadowaki-Fleming scored 14.
Japan was 53 for three before collapsing to 63 for eight
after losing five wickets for 10 runs. Afghanistan completed the victory with
three balls remaining.
The win gave Afghanistan a winning start in Group A.
Afghanistan won the silver medal in men’s cricket at the previous Asian Games
and is scheduled to face Nepal in its second match on Friday.
