India and Pakistan could meet in Asian Games gold medal match
India and Pakistan could meet in the Asian Games final if they both win their semi-finals, with gold medals shared in case of a washout.
India and Pakistan could face each other in the men's cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games if both teams win their semi-finals on Thursday. India play Sri Lanka while Pakistan meet Bangladesh in the opposite semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
Neither side has played a match yet. Rain washed out India's quarter-final against Afghanistan and Pakistan's match against Hong Kong, allowing both teams to advance on seeding. Bangladesh batter Najmul Hossain Shanto has been ruled out of the tournament with fever.
Tournament rules state that both finalists will receive gold medals if the October 3 final is washed out. This differs from the 2022 Asian Games, where India received gold after their final against Afghanistan was abandoned because they were the higher seed.
CricHubb Take
A final between India and Pakistan would be the first time the two sides have met on the field at these Games. The weather has already decided three quarter-finals. It may yet decide the gold medal as well.