India and Pakistan are set for their first meeting in men’s cricket at the Asian Games, with the two sides advancing to the gold-medal match at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
India booked its place in the final with a 124-run win over Sri Lanka at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Thursday. Earlier in the day, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets to secure its place in the title match.
The final is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at the same venue. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the men’s medal matches will be played on October 3.
India recover from early setbacks
India were sent in to bat after Sri Lanka won the toss and were initially put under pressure on a challenging surface.
Ishan Kishan provided the innings with its main foundation, finishing unbeaten on 80 from 46 balls. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 38 from 21 deliveries as India reached 169 for seven in 20 overs.
India then produced a far more decisive performance with the ball.
Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in the opening over, while Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma also took two wickets each. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 45 in 9.5 overs, giving India a 124-run victory.
The result kept India on course to defend the men’s cricket gold medal won at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. The International Cricket Council identifies India as the defending men’s champions at the 2026 Games.
Pakistan overcome Bangladesh
Pakistan had already reached the final after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-reduced semifinal.
Bangladesh made 111 for seven in 13 overs, with Towhid Hridoy scoring 42 from 25 balls. Pakistan’s Sufyan Moqim took three wickets for 26 runs.
Pakistan’s chase briefly became uncertain after four wickets fell for 53 runs. Abdul Samad changed the momentum with an unbeaten 30 from 15 balls, while Hasan Nawaz finished unbeaten on 27 from 22 deliveries.
Pakistan reached 112 for four in 11.3 overs to seal its place in the gold-medal match.
A first Asian Games meeting
The final will create a new entry in the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.
Although the two countries regularly meet in major international tournaments, they had not previously faced each other in men’s cricket at the Asian Games. Pakistan’s men’s team competed at the 2010 and 2023 editions, while India made its men’s Asian Games debut at Hangzhou 2022.
India went on to win gold at Hangzhou after its final against Afghanistan was washed out. Pakistan, meanwhile, is still seeking its first men’s cricket medal at the Asian Games.
That makes the October 3 final significant beyond the rivalry itself: India will be attempting to retain its title, while Pakistan will be playing for its first men’s cricket gold at the Games.
The 2026 men’s cricket competition is being played in the T20 format at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka entered the knockout stage as seeded teams.
For UAE-based cricket followers, the match will be one of the major Asian Games cricket fixtures to watch this weekend, with the gold medal at stake and the two South Asian rivals meeting at the Games for the first time.
Q1. When is the India vs Pakistan Asian Games cricket final?
The men’s cricket gold-medal final is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
Q2. Why is the India-Pakistan Asian Games match historic?
It will be the first meeting between India and Pakistan in men’s cricket at the Asian Games.
Q3. How did India reach the Asian Games final?
India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs after making 169 for seven and bowling Sri Lanka out for 45.
Q4. How did Pakistan reach the final?
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-reduced semifinal, chasing 112 in 11.3 overs.
Q5. Who scored the most runs for India against Sri Lanka?
Ishan Kishan top-scored with an unbeaten 80 from 46 balls.
Q6. Is India the defending Asian Games men’s cricket champion?
Yes. India won the men’s cricket gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Q7. Has Pakistan won an Asian Games men’s cricket gold medal before?
No. Pakistan’s men’s team is seeking its first Asian Games cricket gold medal.
