Afghanistan vs Nepal Team News & Playing XI 2026: Predicted XIs, Squad Updates

Afghanistan will face Nepal in their next Group A fixture of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket tournament. The match comes just one day after Afghanistan opened their campaign with a 48-run victory over Japan at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin.

Afghanistan posted 129/6 against Japan before bowling their opponents out for 81. Mohammad Akram led the batting effort with 34 runs, while Darwish Rasooli made 29 and Mohammad Ishaq finished unbeaten on 25. With the ball, Arab Gul Momand returned figures of 4/8 and Nangyalai Kharoti claimed three wickets.

Nepal will be playing their first match of the Asian Games campaign. Their squad contains several established names, including captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Paudel, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Karan KC, Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane.

The main team-news question for Afghanistan is whether they retain the same combination that defeated Japan or make a change for the Nepal fixture. Nepal, meanwhile, must decide on their best combination from a strong squad before the final XI is confirmed at the toss.

Afghanistan will look to carry the momentum from their opening victory into their second Group A fixture against Nepal. The side produced a balanced performance against Japan, scoring 129/6 before dismissing their opponents for 81.

Mohammad Akram was Afghanistan’s leading run-scorer in the opener with 34, while captain Darwish Rasooli contributed 29 and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Ishaq remained unbeaten on 25. Karim Janat also added a useful 21 during the innings.

The bowling unit was particularly effective. Arab Gul Momand finished with 4/8, while Nangyalai Kharoti took three wickets and Abdullah Ahmadzai claimed two. That performance gives the team management plenty of reasons to consider retaining the same bowling combination against Nepal.

Darwish Rasooli remains an important part of Afghanistan’s middle order and leadership group. Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat also provide experience around a squad that includes several younger players selected for the Asian Games.

The main selection question is whether Afghanistan keep the winning combination unchanged or use the Nepal fixture to make a tactical adjustment. Any change will depend on the team’s balance and conditions at Korogi Sports Park.

The final Afghanistan playing XI will be confirmed at the toss. Until then, the predicted XI should be treated as a selection projection rather than an official team announcement.

Afghanistan have named a competitive squad for the men’s cricket tournament at the Asian Games 2026. Darwish Rasooli leads the side, with experienced players such as Najibullah Zadran and Karim Janat providing additional experience in the batting and all-round departments.

The squad also includes Mohammad Akram, Hassan Eisakhil, Mohammad Ishaq, Ismat Alam, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Nangyalai Kharoti and Arab Gul Momand. The combination gives Afghanistan options across the batting order and a varied bowling attack.

Afghanistan’s opening match against Japan showed the value of this balance. The batting group reached 129/6, while the bowling attack successfully defended the total by dismissing Japan for 81.

The final XI against Nepal will be confirmed at the toss, so squad membership should not be treated as confirmation that every player will feature in the match.

Based on Afghanistan’s opening-match combination and the performances of their players against Japan, the team could make minimal changes for the Nepal fixture. The predicted XI below is not an official team announcement and remains subject to confirmation at the toss.

Why Afghanistan Could Retain the Winning Combination

Afghanistan’s bowling attack was highly effective against Japan, with Arab Gul Momand taking 4/8, Nangyalai Kharoti claiming three wickets and Abdullah Ahmadzai taking two. Retaining those key performers would give the side continuity against Nepal.

Mohammad Akram, Darwish Rasooli and Mohammad Ishaq also made useful contributions with the bat in the opening game. Their presence gives Afghanistan a settled core while the middle and lower order provides additional all-round options.

A change remains possible because Afghanistan have a wider squad available for selection. The official XI will only become clear when the teams complete the toss and announce their line-ups.

Nepal will play their first match of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket tournament when they take on Afghanistan in Group A. The squad features several established Nepal internationals, giving captain Dipendra Singh Airee a strong pool of players to choose from.

The batting group includes Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla and Sundeep Jora. These players provide Nepal with options across the top and middle order, while Gulshan Jha adds further all-round ability.

Nepal also have considerable experience in their bowling group. Karan KC and Sompal Kami provide pace and lower-order batting depth, while Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi give the team specialist spin options.

With this being Nepal’s opening match of the tournament, the selection focus will be on finding the right balance between their established core and the conditions at Korogi Sports Park. The team management will also need to decide how many specialist bowlers to include in the final XI.

There is no confirmed major injury absence affecting Nepal’s selection at the time of this preview. Any late fitness or availability update would need to be checked before the toss.

The final Nepal playing XI will be announced at the toss. Until then, the predicted combination should be viewed as a projection based on the announced squad and the team’s established options rather than a confirmed line-up.

Nepal’s squad features a blend of established international players and younger options. The team has several players capable of contributing in more than one department, giving the management flexibility when selecting the final XI against Afghanistan.

The squad gives Nepal several batting options around Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee. Kushal Malla and Gulshan Jha can also provide all-round value depending on the combination selected.

In the bowling department, Nepal can call on experienced players such as Karan KC, Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane, alongside spin options including Lalit Rajbanshi. The final balance will be determined by the team management before the match.

Squad selection does not confirm participation in the match. Nepal’s official playing XI will be announced at the toss.

Nepal have several established options available, and the predicted XI is built around their experienced top order, versatile all-rounders and specialist bowling resources. The combination below is a projection and is not the confirmed team.

Why This Combination Could Start for Nepal

Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh are projected to open the innings, giving Nepal an experienced opening partnership. Rohit Paudel and captain Dipendra Singh Airee would then provide stability and all-round value through the middle overs.

Kushal Malla, Sundeep Jora and Gulshan Jha add further batting depth, while Sompal Kami and Karan KC provide additional seam-bowling options. Sandeep Lamichhane remains a key specialist spin option, with Lalit Rajbanshi offering another left-arm spin choice.

The exact balance could change depending on conditions and the team’s tactical plans. Nepal’s official XI will be confirmed at the toss, so this predicted combination should not be treated as the final playing XI.

Afghanistan and Nepal have named their squads for the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket tournament, and there is no confirmed major injury-related absence that currently changes the expected selection picture for this match.

Afghanistan can therefore consider the players who featured in their opening victory over Japan, including Mohammad Akram, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Ishaq, Karim Janat and the bowling group led by Arab Gul Momand and Nangyalai Kharoti.

Nepal also have their experienced squad available for selection, with players such as Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Karan KC, Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane among the main options.

Availability can still change close to the match because of late fitness assessments, tactical decisions or other team-management considerations. Any late update should be checked when the teams announce their final XIs.

The official playing XIs will be confirmed at the toss. Until then, the predicted line-ups in this article should be treated as provisional.

Afghanistan have a relatively settled combination after their win over Japan, but the squad still gives the management options to make a tactical change. The bowling group performed strongly in the opener, which could influence whether the same attack is retained against Nepal.

Afghanistan’s Bowling Combination

Arab Gul Momand’s 4/8 and Nangyalai Kharoti’s three wickets were among the standout performances against Japan. Abdullah Ahmadzai also contributed with two wickets. Their performances strengthen the case for continuity, although Afghanistan have additional bowling options within the squad.

Nepal’s All-Rounder Balance

Nepal have several players who can contribute with both bat and ball, including captain Dipendra Singh Airee, Kushal Malla, Gulshan Jha, Sompal Kami and Karan KC. Selecting the right combination from these options will determine how much batting depth and bowling variety Nepal carry into the match.

Specialist Spin Options

Sandeep Lamichhane and Lalit Rajbanshi give Nepal specialist spin choices. Whether Nepal use both depends on the conditions and the balance of the rest of the XI.

Top-Order Combination

Nepal’s selection around Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee will be another important consideration. Afghanistan’s bowling attack was effective against Japan, so Nepal’s top order will have a key role in establishing the innings.

These selection questions will be settled when both teams announce their official playing XIs at the toss. Until then, the combinations listed in this article remain predicted XIs rather than confirmed selections.

The predicted playing XIs in this article are based on the announced squads, recent team selection and the available pre-match information. They should not be treated as confirmed line-ups before the toss.

Once the toss takes place, the final XIs will determine which players from the respective squads make the starting line-up. Any changes from the predicted teams will therefore be reflected in the official team announcement.

For the latest match-day update, readers should check the official team announcements and toss information before treating any player combination as confirmed.

Afghanistan enter the fixture after defeating Japan by 48 runs in their opening Group A match. Nepal will begin their campaign with this fixture, making the match an important first test for their tournament combination.

The final playing XIs and any last-minute team changes will be confirmed at the toss.

Afghanistan have momentum on their side after defeating Japan by 48 runs in their opening Group A match. Their bowling attack produced a particularly strong performance, while the batting unit had contributions from Mohammad Akram, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Ishaq and Karim Janat.

Nepal start their campaign with several established players available for selection. Captain Dipendra Singh Airee will have experienced options around him, including Kushal Bhurtel, Aasif Sheikh, Rohit Paudel, Kushal Malla, Karan KC, Sompal Kami and Sandeep Lamichhane.

The predicted playing XIs provide the likely selection combinations based on the available squad information, but neither team should be considered confirmed until the toss. Late team changes can still affect the final line-ups.

The most important match-day update will therefore be the official team announcement at the toss. Readers should use the confirmed XI rather than the predicted combinations when checking the final Afghanistan vs Nepal team news.