The Asian Games cricket final between India and Pakistan is underway at the Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, with Asian Games gold on the line. India won the toss on Saturday morning and elected to bat first against their arch-rivals in the men’s T20 gold medal match of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.
FAKTA: Match at a glance
- Event: Men’s T20 cricket gold medal match, Asian Games 2026 (Aichi-Nagoya)
- Date & start: Saturday, 3 October 2026 — 10:00 AM IST (1:30 PM Japan time)
- Venue: Kōrogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan
- Toss: India won the toss and elected to bat first
- Captains: Shreyas Iyer (India), Sahibzada Farhan (Pakistan)
- Defending champions: India won men’s cricket gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games
- Watch live: Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV in India, PTV Sports in Pakistan
Road to the final: how both teams got here
India produced the most dominant performance of the tournament in their semi-final on 1 October. Batting first against Sri Lanka, Shreyas Iyer’s side posted 169 for 7 in 20 overs, with Ishan Kishan hammering an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls and 18-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributing 38 off 21 deliveries. India’s bowlers then dismissed Sri Lanka for just 45 in 9.5 overs — Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 7), Axar Patel (2 for 8) and Abhishek Sharma (2 for 2) sharing the damage — sealing a crushing 124-run victory.
Pakistan’s path was more dramatic. Their semi-final against Bangladesh was reduced to 13 overs per side because of a wet outfield. Bangladesh scored 111 for 7, with Towhid Hridoy making 42 off 25 balls. Pakistan chased it down in 11.3 overs, reaching 112 for 4 to win by six wickets with nine balls remaining — Hasan Nawaz finishing unbeaten on 27 and Abdul Samad smashing 30 not out off 15 balls. Sufyan Moqim’s 3 for 26 had earlier kept Bangladesh in check.
| Semi-final | India (vs Sri Lanka) | Pakistan (vs Bangladesh) |
|---|---|---|
| Team total | 169/7 (20 overs) | 112/4 (11.3 overs) |
| Opponent total | 45 (9.5 overs) | 111/7 (13 overs)* |
| Result | Won by 124 runs | Won by 6 wickets (9 balls left) |
| Standout performers | Ishan Kishan 80* (46); Bumrah 2/7 | Abdul Samad 30* (15); Sufyan Moqim 3/26 |
*Pakistan’s semi-final was reduced to 13 overs per side due to a wet outfield.
Toss and a blazing start
Shreyas Iyer called correctly at the toss and had no hesitation in batting first on a fresh Kōrogi surface in Nisshin. India rewarded the decision with a blistering start: Abhishek Sharma smashed 61 off just 28 balls to give the innings early momentum, with opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also clearing the ropes twice in his 15 off 9. Follow the live score ball by ball on ESPNcricinfo.
Key players to watch
Ishan Kishan walked into this final in the form of his life after his unbeaten 80 against Sri Lanka, and India will again look to him for a big start. Abhishek Sharma has already shown his destructive intent in the final itself, while Jasprit Bumrah’s new-ball spell could be decisive against Pakistan’s top order.
For Pakistan, Abdul Samad’s finishing burst (30* off 15 in the semi-final) makes him the danger man at the death, and captain Sahibzada Farhan will look to spin a web with Sufyan Moqim and Arafat Minhas, who shared five wickets in the semi-final. India’s spinners — Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi — are equally capable of strangling the chase.
Where to watch the final live
In India, the final is telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLIV. Viewers in Pakistan can watch on PTV Sports, while Willow TV carries the match in the United States and Canada and beIN Sports across the Middle East and Qatar.
Conclusion
A men’s cricket gold medal has never been decided in Japan before, and there is no bigger stage for it than an India–Pakistan final. India arrived as defending champions with a 124-run statement win in the semis; Pakistan arrived through rain, pressure and a calm chase. Follow the live score and updates from the Asian Games cricket final as the gold medal is decided in Nisshin.
