India and Pakistan set for first Asian Games men's cricket final
India and Pakistan contest the Asian Games men's cricket gold medal for the first time on Saturday in Japan.
India will face Pakistan in the men's cricket gold medal match at the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday. The match at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin marks the first time the two sides have met in the Asian Games cricket competition. India reached the final after beating Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semi-final while Pakistan advanced by defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened match. Weather forecasts indicate a 62 percent chance of rain on Saturday morning. If the final is abandoned without a result, both teams will be declared joint gold medallists under the 2026 tournament rules. ACC president Mohsin Naqvi will not attend the final due to prior commitments.
CricHubb Take
The rain rule could force both sides to decide whether they keep their best bowlers on ice for the knockout stages or risk them in a match that may never finish.