Arab Gul breaks records for Afghanistan [Source: @ACBofficials/X]Afghanistan began their Asian Games 2026 campaign in an impressive fashion, defeating Japan by 48 runs at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on September 24. Although Japan almost stunned India with their solid display with bat and ball in a 5-over rain-reduced contest on September 22, they were caught on the back foot by the Afghans at their home ground just two days later.After posting 129/6 in their 20 overs, Afghanistan produced a dominant bowling display to dismiss Japan for just 81. The biggest highlight of the match, however, was the performance of young leg-spinner Arab Gul Momand, who turned the contest into a one-sided affair with a spell that immediately entered the T20I record books against Japan.Arab Gul registers best bowling figures vs Japan in T20IsArab Gul Momand needed just four overs to leave his mark in the Asian Games. The Afghanistan leg-spinner finished with 4/8 from four overs, including two maidens, to register the best bowling figures ever recorded against Japan in men's T20Is.Arab Gul's spell was remarkable not only for the wickets but also for the pressure he created. He conceded only eight runs across his four overs and sent down 19 dot balls, giving Japan almost no opportunity to build a partnership against him.His 4/8 also moved ahead of previous four-wicket hauls against Japan. Indonesia's Ketut Artawan had earlier taken 4/12, while China's Tian Sen Qun and Vanuatu's N Nipiko had also recorded four-wicket spells for 12 and 17 runs respectively. Bahrain's Ali Dawood had claimed 4/19 against Japan in 2026.Best bowling figures in T20Is vs Japan:Arab Gul Momand (Afghanistan) – 4/8Ketut Artawan (Indonesia) – 4/12Tian Sen Qun (China) – 4/12N Nipiko (Vanuatu) – 4/17Ali Dawood (Bahrain) – 4/19Also Read- Ravichandran Ashwin Hammers Indian Batters After Japan ScareGul therefore became the first bowler to take four wickets while conceding fewer than 10 runs against Japan in T20Is.Japan register second-lowest T20I total in Asian Games clashJapan's 81 all out also became their second-lowest total in men's T20Is. Their lowest remains the 79 they scored against Indonesia at Sano in October 2022.That previous record had stood for almost four years before Japan came close to breaking it against Afghanistan. Their 81/10 at Nisshin was also below their 90 against the Cook Islands earlier in 2026.Lowest totals for Japan in T20Is:79 runs – Indonesia, 11 October 202281 runs – Afghanistan, 24 September 202690 runs – Cook Islands, 14 May 2026103 runs – Indonesia, 18 October 2022103 runs – Oman, 17 October 2025105 runs – Cook Islands, 9 May 2025Japan's innings began disastrously when Lachlan Yamamoto-Lake was dismissed for a duck in the third ball of the chase. Reo Sakurano-Thomas offered some resistance with 23 from 24 balls, but Afghanistan kept striking whenever Japan attempted to rebuild.Nangeyalia Kharoti claimed three wickets, while Abdullah Ahmadzai took two. Gul then ripped through the middle and lower order, dismissing Sakurano-Thomas, Ibrahim Takahashi, Charlie Hara-Hinze and Declan Suzuki-McComb.Japan slipped from 60/4 to 63/8 in a matter of deliveries as Afghanistan's attack completely strangled the chase. They were eventually bowled out in 19.3 overs, finishing 48 runs short.Earlier, Mohammad Akram top-scored for Afghanistan with 34, while Darwish Rasooli made 29 and Mohammad Ishaq remained unbeaten on 25 to help Afghanistan reach 129/6.Who is Arab Gul? The wonder spinner against JapanArab Gul Momand is a 21-year-old Afghan leg-spinner from Nangarhar who has progressed through the country's junior and domestic cricket structure.Gul first attracted attention during the 2024 Under-19 World Cup, where his sharp leg-spin and deceptive googlies drew comparisons with the style of Afghanistan's premier spinner, Rashid Khan.His domestic rise was equally striking. Arab Gul made an immediate impression in first-class cricket, including a seven-wicket haul on debut, before producing a memorable performance for Afghanistan A against Ireland A in Abu Dhabi. He took 10 wickets in that match, including 6/25 in the second innings.His performances also took him into franchise cricket, with Gul featuring in squads connected to teams including MI Emirates and the Barbados Royals.Before his senior debut, Gul had taken 60 wickets in 17 first-class matches, while his overall T20 record stood at 38 wickets in 36 matches.But those numbers now have a remarkable new headline. On his senior international debut against Japan, Arab Gul produced figures of 4/8, setting a new T20I benchmark against the Asian side and helping Afghanistan begin their Asian Games campaign with a convincing victory.Also Read- ICC Punishes Sri Lanka After First ODI Defeat To England
