India To Face Pakistan For Asian Games Cricket Gold

India and Pakistan will meet for the first time in the Asian Games men's cricket final after both sides won their semi-finals in Japan. India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs, while Pakistan beat Bangladesh by six wickets to set up a highly anticipated gold-medal clash.

India and Pakistan are set to face each other for the Asian Games men's cricket gold medal after both teams secured victories in their respective semi-finals in Nisshin, Japan.

India produced a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka, setting a target of 170 before dismissing their opponents for just 45. Pakistan, meanwhile, chased down Bangladesh's 112-run target in a rain-shortened contest to win by six wickets.

The final will be played at Korogi Sports Park on Saturday, October 3, creating a first-ever India-Pakistan meeting in the men's Asian Games cricket final.

India Produce Dominant Semi-Final Performance

India's route to the final was built on an outstanding all-round display against Sri Lanka.

After being asked to bat first, Shreyas Iyer's side posted 169 for seven, with Ishan Kishan producing the standout innings. The wicketkeeper-batter struck an unbeaten 80 from 46 deliveries, while teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 38.

The bowlers then took complete control. Jasprit Bumrah claimed two wickets early in the innings, while Abhishek Sharma took two wickets for just two runs from five deliveries as Sri Lanka collapsed to 45 all out in 9.5 overs.

Pakistan Overcome Bangladesh In Shortened Contest

Pakistan's semi-final against Bangladesh was affected by wet conditions and reduced to 13 overs per side.

Bangladesh posted 111 for seven, with Towhid Hridoy scoring 42, but Pakistan successfully chased the revised target in 11.3 overs to secure a six-wicket victory. Abdul Samad provided an important contribution with an unbeaten 30 from 15 balls, while Sufyan Moqim took three wickets for 26 runs.

The result completed Pakistan's passage into the gold-medal match alongside their regional rivals.

First Asian Games Final Meeting Between The Rivals

Although India and Pakistan have a long history of major cricket encounters, this will be their first meeting in the men's Asian Games cricket final.

The fixture gives the tournament a particularly high-profile climax, with both sides arriving after contrasting semi-final victories. India advanced through a convincing batting and bowling performance, while Pakistan had to negotiate a shortened match caused by the weather.

The match is scheduled for October 3 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, with a 1:30pm local start.

India Defend Their Asian Games Crown

India enter the final as the defending men's cricket champions after winning gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where their final against Afghanistan was abandoned because of rain and the gold medal was awarded using the tournament's ranking rule.

The 2026 competition has adopted a different approach for a washed-out final. If rain prevents the gold-medal match from taking place, the organisers have confirmed that both finalists will share the gold medal because there is no reserve day.

Weather Adds Another Layer To The Final

Rain has already had a major impact on the men's cricket competition in Aichi-Nagoya. India's quarter-final against Afghanistan and Pakistan's meeting with Hong Kong were both abandoned, with the higher-ranked sides progressing to the semi-finals.

Pakistan's semi-final was also shortened because of wet conditions, highlighting the possibility that weather could again become a factor when the gold medal is decided.

A High-Profile Gold Medal Clash Awaits

The final brings together two teams that have already shown their ability to perform under difficult tournament conditions.

India will be seeking another Asian Games title, while Pakistan will be attempting to claim their first men's cricket gold at the Games. With the two sides now confirmed for the gold-medal contest, the focus turns to October 3 and a meeting that carries significance well beyond the medal itself.

The outcome will be decided at Korogi Sports Park, but the route to the final has already provided plenty of drama, from rain interruptions to dominant semi-final performances. The stage is now set for India and Pakistan to contest the Asian Games cricket crown.