Pakistan team reaches Asian Games 2026 final; awaits match against India

The picture of a potential final in the men's cricket tournament of the Asian Games 2026 between India and Pakistan is forming. Both teams advanced to the semi-finals without playing their quarter-final matches due to rain. If they win their next games, they will meet in the final.

However, the situation is not so straightforward, as Bangladesh stands in Pakistan's path and is capable of changing the entire course of the tournament.

India and Pakistan initially gained direct access to the quarter-finals due to a higher ranking. But on Monday, September 27, rain interrupted both matches. Specifically, the match between Pakistan and Hong Kong did not start, and the meeting between India and Afghanistan also did not take place due to rain and a wet field.

According to the competition rules, in such cases, the team with the better ranking advances to the next round. It was based on this rule that Pakistan secured a spot in the semi-finals against Hong Kong, and India against Afghanistan, without playing.

The match between India and Afghanistan generated great interest among fans, as the participation of 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi was expected. After a brilliant performance in IPL 2026, which had high expectations, attention was focused on his performances at the Asian Games. However, constant rain and poor field conditions at the Korogi Sports Park in India dashed these hopes. The match did not even start with a toss, and ultimately India received a ticket to the semi-finals. India ranks first in the ICC T20 rankings, while Afghanistan is ranked tenth.

Now the Indian team will play the semi-final match on October 1 (Thursday) at the same stadium, and their opponent will be Sri Lanka. The quarter-final between Sri Lanka and Nepal was also cancelled due to rain. On the other hand, Pakistan's path is almost determined. Its semi-final match will be against the winner of the quarter-final match between Bangladesh and Malaysia. This is where the interesting equation of the India-Pakistan final arises.

If India wins its semi-final and Pakistan also advances, these arch-rivals will meet in the Asian Games final. Nevertheless, Bangladesh could become a serious obstacle in Pakistan's path. If Bangladesh wins the quarter-final against Malaysia, it will face Pakistan in the semi-finals. In that case, Pakistan will have to overcome the challenge from Bangladesh to reach the final.

Thus, the India-Pakistan final is not yet decided. Both teams need to pass through the semi-final barrier, and Pakistan potentially faces a tough confrontation with Bangladesh. Now the match between Bangladesh and Malaysia will determine the overall picture of this tournament.

Below is the schedule of the remaining Asian Games 2026 matches:

• September 29 — Bangladesh vs Malaysia, starting at 10:00 AM
• October 1 — First Semi-final (Pakistan vs TBA), starting at 5:30 AM
• October 1 — Second Semi-final (India vs Sri Lanka), starting at 10:00 AM
• October 3 — Bronze Medal Match, starting at 5:30 AM
• October 3 — Final (Gold Medal Match), starting at 10:00 AM

The quarterfinals of the men's cricket tournament at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya have been fully determined. After the match in Group A was cancelled due to rain on September 26 (Saturday), Nepal and Afghanistan advanced to the next round, while the host country Japan was eliminated from the tournament.

Malaysia and Hong Kong advanced to the next stage from Group B. In the last match of Group A, Nepal and Japan faced each other. This match took place at Korogi Sports Park in Nishin city. Nepal, having lost the toss, started with bat, scoring a strong total of 149/4 in 15 overs. Sandeep Jora and Lokesh Bam helped the team reach a good position, but then it started raining. Due to the continuous rain, Japan's innings did not begin, and the match ended without a winner.

This result brought direct benefits to Nepal and Afghanistan. Earlier, Nepal achieved a major surprise in Group A by defeating Afghanistan. For Japan, this match was the last chance to remain in the tournament, but the rain dashed its hopes.

In Group B, the match between Malaysia and Oman was also cancelled due to rain, and no balls were bowled. As a result of this match, Malaysia and Hong Kong qualified for the quarterfinals, and Oman's campaign ended.

Following the completion of the preliminary round matches, the full quarterfinal schedule was announced. India will face Afghanistan on September 28 (Monday) at 10:00 AM. On the same day, at 5:30 AM Indian time, Pakistan and Hong Kong will meet. The third quarterfinal match will feature Sri Lanka against Nepal, and in the fourth quarterfinal, Malaysia will play against Bangladesh. Both of these matches will take place on September 29 (Tuesday).

The women's cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games has reached the decisive stage following the completion of the quarter-final matches, determining all four teams that will advance to the semi-finals. Two matches are scheduled for Sunday, September 20th, at the Korogi Sports Park.

The first semi-final will feature a clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while in the second semi-final, India will face Bangladesh. The results of these two games will determine the two teams that will reach the tournament final.

The first semi-final is scheduled for 5:30 AM Indian time, and the second semi-final will begin at 10:30 AM Indian time.

Bangladesh secured a spot in the final quartet without playing a single ball against China in the quarter-finals. The match was cancelled due to rain, and according to tournament rules, Bangladesh advanced to the semi-finals based on a higher ranking. Now, it faces a serious challenge from the strong team of India. While Bangladesh advanced directly to the semi-finals, India secured a place in the final quartet by defeating Japan.

The quarter-final between Pakistan and Thailand was also affected by rain. However, the match proceeded for 11 overs, and Pakistan secured its place in the semi-finals by winning by three wickets.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka defeated Malaysia with a score of 86 runs in the third quarter-final. Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 160 runs in 20 overs, losing four batsmen. Captain Chamari Atapattu delivered a brilliant performance, scoring 63 runs off 37 balls, including seven fours and three sixes. Additionally, Kivisha Dilhari contributed 44 not out runs off 27 balls. In the chase, the Malaysian team managed only to score 74 runs in 20 overs, losing seven batsmen. Sri Lanka's victory was ensured by Atapattu, Dilhari, and Mithalai Ayodha, each taking two wickets.

The Indian team showed magnificent play in the quarter-final, completely defeating Japan by 57 runs. Spinner Shri Charni was the most successful player for India in this match, taking four wickets while conceding only 10 runs in four overs. Shefali Verma took two wickets, and Dipti Sharma and Shreynka Patil took one batsman each. In chasing a small target, India achieved victory by losing only two batsmen. Shefali Verma quickly finished the match, scoring 40 not out runs off 15 balls, which included six fours and two sixes.