India and Pakistan meet in Asian Games final with rain threat looming
The arch-rivals contest the gold medal with rain a potential factor and new rules in place if the match is abandoned without a result.
India and Pakistan face each other in the men's cricket gold-medal match at the 2026 Asian Games on 3 October 2026. The match at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin carries added significance as the first meeting between the two sides in the Asian Games cricket competition.
India reached the final after a 124-run semi-final win over Sri Lanka, while Pakistan advanced by beating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened semi-final. Both teams have navigated quarterfinal washouts and challenging conditions throughout the tournament.
If rain prevents a result, the 2026 Asian Games rules state that both teams will be declared joint gold medallists. ACC president Mohsin Naqvi will not attend the final due to prior commitments, avoiding a repeat of the trophy-handover controversy from the 2025 Asia Cup.
CricHubb Take
The joint-gold rule removes the possibility of a disputed result but also dilutes the winner-takes-all drama that has defined India-Pakistan cricket for decades.