Arab Gul claimed four wickets on T20I debut as Afghanistan defended 129 to begin their Asian Games campaign with a convincing win in Nisshin.

Afghanistan opened their Asian Games men’s cricket campaign with a comfortable 48-run victory over Japan in Nisshin, defending a modest total of 129 with an impressive display of spin bowling.

Right-arm wristspinner Arab Gul produced a sensational debut, taking 4 for 8, while left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote added 3 for 19 as Japan collapsed from 53 for 2 to 81 all out in 19.3 overs.

The victory gives Afghanistan two points in Group A as they begin their bid to reach the quarter-finals.

Japan Make Steady Start Before Collapse

Chasing 130, Japan made a composed start and reached 53 for 2 in the eighth over.

However, their innings unravelled once Afghanistan’s spinners came into the attack.

Gul proved particularly destructive, claiming two wickets in the 12th over and another two in the 14th as Japan slumped from 60 for 4 to 63 for 8.

Abdollah Ahmadzai and Kharote then completed the job, removing the final two batters as Japan were bowled out for 81.

The result came just two days after Japan had pushed India close in a rain-affected contest in Sano, but the hosts were unable to reproduce that performance against Afghanistan.

Akram Provides Afghanistan’s Late Push

Afghanistan had earlier been restricted to 129 for 6 after being asked to bat first.

Mohammad Akram top-scored with 34, while captain Darwish Rasooli contributed 29 and Karim Janat made 21.

Japan’s bowlers kept the scoring rate under control for much of the innings, with right-arm seamer Shoma Sugaya-Slater and offspinner Ibrahim Takahashi taking two wickets apiece.

Afghanistan were below six runs an over for the first 15 overs before Mohammad Ishaq provided a late boost.

Coming in at No. 6, Ishaq struck an unbeaten 25 from just 17 deliveries to help Afghanistan reach 129, a total that ultimately proved more than sufficient.

Afghanistan Begin Group A Campaign Strongly

Gul’s outstanding debut and Kharote’s support with the ball ensured Afghanistan never allowed Japan to build a substantial partnership during the chase.

With the two points secured, Afghanistan now turn their attention to the remainder of their Group A campaign.

Both Afghanistan and Japan have matches against Nepal still to come, with the top two teams in the group advancing to the quarter-finals.