Japan vs Afghanistan Asian Games Predictions - Abdollah Ahmadzai to run through Japan’s top order
Afghanistan go into the tournament opener as overwhelming favorites against hosts Japan. Abdollah Ahmadzai, Afghanistan’s leading bowler with 8 wickets in 5 matches, is tipped to trouble the Japanese lineup. Karim Janat is expected to top Afghanistan’s batting, while Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Charlie Hara-Hinze are strong picks for runs and wickets for Japan. While Afghanistan have the upper hand, Japan’s spirited bowling could make the contest more competitive than anticipated.
- Japan lost a five-over shootout to India by three runs ahead of the tournament.
- Afghanistan come into the Games on the back of a 3-0 series defeat to India.
- The Korogi Sports Park track in Nisshin has a low first innings average of 136 runs.
Japan lost to India by just 2 runs (Getty Images).
Japan vs Afghanistan Predictions
Afghanistan should be favourites given their stronger cricketing depth and combination of experienced internationals and talented youngsters. However, Japan's remarkable performance against India suggests this could be more competitive than expected.
The hosts' spin attack offers genuine wicket-taking potential, but Afghanistan should have the batting resources to claim victory if they negotiate the early overs.
- Japan’s Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming has scored 37* & 45 in his last 4 knocks.
- Japan’s Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake has scores of 38, 26 & 33 in his last 10 innings.
- Japan’s Charlie Hara-Hinze has taken 11 wickets in 5 innings.
- Afghanistan’s Karim Janat has scored 64, 85, 31, 32 & 27 in his last 9 innings.
- Afghanistan’s Ismat Alam Gurbaz has scores of 20*, 46*, 67 & 23 in his last 5 innings.
- Afghanistan’s Abdollah Ahmadzai has taken 3/38 & 1/38 in his last 2 innings.
Head-to-Head
Afghanistan and Japan have never met in a T20I.
Japan Form
Japan enter their Asian Games opener with renewed confidence after pushing world champions India to the final delivery in their historic T20I meeting. Reduced to five overs because of a wet outfield, the contest saw Japan restrict India to 32/4 before finishing agonisingly short on 30/3.
Charlie Hara-Hinze claimed two wickets, while Benjamin Ito-Davis and Ibrahim Takahashi collected one apiece. Captain Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming led the reply with 12 runs.
Japan's bowling has become their biggest strength. Hara-Hinze has taken 14 wickets in his last eight matches, while Takahashi has claimed 12 in nine appearances.
Batting remains less convincing, with Japan managing only 95/7 against Hong Kong recently. Kadowaki-Fleming and Ito-Davis must provide greater stability if the hosts are to challenge Afghanistan over a full 20 overs.
Afghanistan Form
Afghanistan begin their Asian Games campaign with a substantially different squad from the senior side that recently suffered a 3-0 T20I series defeat against India. Darwish Rasooli takes charge of a youthful group, supported by experienced international players Karim Janat and Najibullah Zadran.
Rasooli has scored 256 runs in his last 10 matches, while Hassan Eisakhil offers another attacking option after accumulating 1,094 runs across 41 career T20 appearances.
Mohammad Akram is another player to watch, having scored 339 runs in eight innings during Afghanistan's domestic Shpageeza Cricket League. All-rounder Ismat Alam also impressed in that competition, contributing 294 runs and nine wickets.
Faridoon Dawoodzai brings considerable wicket-taking ability, with 50 scalps across 41 T20 matches, while Nangyal Kharoti provides an important spin option. Afghanistan's combination of emerging talent and established experience gives them considerable potential despite the unfamiliar conditions.
Team news
Japan should retain the core that performed impressively against India, with Kadowaki-Fleming captaining the side and Hara-Hinze, Ito-Davis and Takahashi providing key bowling options.
Afghanistan have selected an emerging squad rather than their established senior combination. Rasooli captains, with Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat adding experience. Mohammad Akram and Ismat Alam earned selection through strong domestic performances.
No confirmed injury absences have been identified in the latest official squad announcements. Final playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss.
Japan (possible XI): Kendel Kadowaki Fleming (c), Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake, Ibrahim Takahashi, Benjamin Ito-Davis, Shirai-Patmore, Reo Sakurano-Thomas, Charlie Hara-Hinze, Wataru Miyauchi, Declan Suzuki, Makoto Taniyama, Shoma Sugaya-Slater.
Afghanistan (possible XI): Darwish Rasooli (c), Hassan Eisakhil, Imran Mir, Mohammad Ishaq, Ismat Alam, Karim Janat, Farmanullah, Abdollah Ahmadzai, Arab Gul, Faisal Khan, Faridoon Dawoodzi.
Verdict
Afghanistan are huge favourites to beat hosts Japan in the tournament opener, but Japan look like they have the firepower to keep the contest alive through their bowling attack.
Afghanistan’s Abdollah Ahmadzai has taken 8 wickets in 5 matches against quality opposition and should be too hot for Japan to handle.
I’m also backing Charlie Hara-Hinze to be among the wickets, while Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming and Karim Janat are worth backing to be among the runs.
Kendel KadowakiFleming
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