Nisshin: India and Pakistan will face each other in the men’s cricket gold medal match at the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday, October 3, with the final scheduled at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
The high-profile T20 clash will begin at 10 am IST, while the toss is scheduled for 9:30 am. In India, the match will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed online on SonyLIV. SonyLIV’s official Asian Games page also lists the India-Pakistan final among its event coverage.
The final brings together the defending Asian Games champions and a Pakistan side appearing in the men’s cricket gold medal match for the first time. India won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, while Pakistan are seeking their first Asian Games gold in the sport.
When is India vs Pakistan Asian Games final?
The India vs Pakistan men’s cricket final will be played on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
The match is scheduled to start at 10 am Indian Standard Time (IST). The toss will take place at 9:30 am IST.
In Japan, the match will begin at 1:30 pm local time at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
Where will the match be played?
The gold medal match will be held at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
The venue has hosted the cricket competition during the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The men’s cricket tournament is being played in the T20 format.
Where to watch India vs Pakistan live in India?
Indian cricket fans can watch the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final through the following platforms:
- TV: Sony Sports Network
- Live streaming: SonyLIV
- Date: Saturday, October 3
- Match time: 10 am IST
- Toss: 9:30 am IST
- Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan
The official SonyLIV Asian Games coverage confirms that the tournament is being streamed on the platform, including coverage surrounding the India-Pakistan final.
How did India reach the final?
India entered the knockout stage as one of the seeded teams. Its quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned because of rain, with India progressing to the semi-finals based on its higher pre-tournament ranking.
In the semi-final against Sri Lanka, India produced a dominant performance to win by 124 runs. India scored 169/7 in 20 overs, with Ishan Kishan remaining unbeaten on 80 off 46 balls. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also contributed 38 runs.
India’s bowlers then dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting line-up. Sri Lanka were bowled out for only 45 in 9.5 overs, with Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma among the wicket-takers. The victory sent India into the gold medal match against Pakistan.
How did Pakistan reach the final?
Pakistan also advanced from the quarter-final stage after its match against Hong Kong, China was abandoned due to rain. Pakistan then defeated Bangladesh in a rain-shortened semi-final.
The semi-final was reduced to 13 overs per side because of a wet outfield. Pakistan chased down Bangladesh’s target to secure a six-wicket victory and book their place in the final.
Abdul Samad scored an unbeaten 30 off 15 balls, while left-arm wrist-spinner Sufyan Moqim took three wickets for 26 runs.
India aim to defend Asian Games cricket gold
India are the defending champions in men’s Asian Games cricket after winning the gold medal at Hangzhou 2023.
The 2023 final against Afghanistan was washed out without a ball being bowled, with India awarded gold based on its higher ranking. This time, India have reached the final after playing a complete semi-final and will have the opportunity to defend their title on the field.
Pakistan, meanwhile, are appearing in their first men’s Asian Games cricket final. Pakistan previously won a bronze medal at the Guangzhou 2010 Games, while Bangladesh won gold in that edition.
India vs Pakistan adds to final-day excitement
The India-Pakistan final is among the major sporting events on the closing day of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
India’s squad includes captain Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur, Vipraj Nigam and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Pakistan are led by Sahibzada Farhan, with Abdul Samad serving as vice-captain. Their squad includes Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Haider Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Moqim and other players.
The two teams last met in the 2026 T20 World Cup, where India won by 61 runs. However, the Asian Games final will be a separate contest, with a gold medal at stake in Nisshin.
For viewers in India, the key details are straightforward: India vs Pakistan will be played on October 3 at 10 am IST, live on Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV.