India and Pakistan will meet in the men's cricket final of the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday, setting up the first-ever clash between the arch-rivals in the competition's cricket event, after both sides won their semifinals in contrasting fashion at Nisshin, Japan.
Defending champions India stormed past Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the second semifinal. Batting first at the Korogi Sports Park, India posted 169 for seven, powered by an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls from Ishan Kishan. Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 38 from 21 deliveries to strengthen the total.
India's bowlers then produced a dominant display. Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in the opening over, and three run-outs further damaged Sri Lanka's chase before the innings collapsed for 45 in 9.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma claimed two wickets from five deliveries.
Rain-shortened path for Pakistan
Pakistan booked the other final spot by defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened semifinal. After a wet outfield delayed play, the match was reduced to 13 overs per side. Bangladesh made 111 for seven, with Towhid Hridoy scoring 42, before Pakistan chased down the revised target in 11.3 overs. Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 30 from 15 balls, while spinner Sufyan Moqim took three wickets for 26 runs.
The gold-medal match will be played on Saturday, October 3, at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, starting at 10:00 AM IST, with the toss at 9:30 AM. India will aim to retain the title they won at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will contest the bronze-medal match earlier in the day.
In India, the final will be telecast on Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 3 and Sony Sports 4, and streamed live on the SonyLIV app and website.
Sources: The Indian Express: India vs Pakistan Asian Games 2026 Final — date, time, live streaming · The Indian EYE: India, Pakistan Set Up Asian Games Men's Cricket Final
Defending champions India stormed past Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the second semifinal. Batting first at the Korogi Sports Park, India posted 169 for seven, powered by an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls from Ishan Kishan. Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 38 from 21 deliveries to strengthen the total.
India's bowlers then produced a dominant display. Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in the opening over, and three run-outs further damaged Sri Lanka's chase before the innings collapsed for 45 in 9.5 overs. Abhishek Sharma claimed two wickets from five deliveries.
Rain-shortened path for Pakistan
Pakistan booked the other final spot by defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened semifinal. After a wet outfield delayed play, the match was reduced to 13 overs per side. Bangladesh made 111 for seven, with Towhid Hridoy scoring 42, before Pakistan chased down the revised target in 11.3 overs. Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 30 from 15 balls, while spinner Sufyan Moqim took three wickets for 26 runs.
The gold-medal match will be played on Saturday, October 3, at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, starting at 10:00 AM IST, with the toss at 9:30 AM. India will aim to retain the title they won at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will contest the bronze-medal match earlier in the day.
In India, the final will be telecast on Sony Sports 1, Sony Sports 3 and Sony Sports 4, and streamed live on the SonyLIV app and website.
Sources: The Indian Express: India vs Pakistan Asian Games 2026 Final — date, time, live streaming · The Indian EYE: India, Pakistan Set Up Asian Games Men's Cricket Final
