NISSHIN: Pakistan and India are set to face off in the men’s cricket final of the 2026 Asian Games at Korogi Sports Park (today) Saturday.
The winner will claim the prestigious gold medal, while the losing side will settle for silver. However, the key question ahead of the highly anticipated clash is whether weather conditions could affect the contest between the neighbouring sides.
India stormed into the final with a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka, posting 169/7 in their 20 overs before bowling their opponents out for just 45. Pakistan, meanwhile, defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-affected semi-final that was reduced to 13 overs per side.
Bangladesh posted 111/7 after being asked to bat first, while Pakistan chased down the target in 11.3 overs. According to AccuWeather, weather conditions in Nisshin are forecast to remain largely favourable for the Pakistan-India gold-medal clash. If the final cannot be completed and no result is possible, Pakistan and India will both be declared joint gold medallists.
The final will mark the first-ever clash between India and Pakistan in men’s cricket at the Asian Games. For Pakistan, this will be their third medal match in the men’s cricket competition at the Asian Games. The Green Shirts won their first-ever Asian Games cricket medal in the 2010 edition, securing bronze after defeating Sri Lanka.
Bangladesh claimed gold after beating Afghanistan in the final. In the 2014 edition, neither India nor Pakistan sent their men’s cricket teams to the tournament due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments. At the 2023 Asian Games, Pakistan suffered a defeat against Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match, while India won gold after their final against Afghanistan was washed out.
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