India and Pakistan will meet in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final on Saturday, October 3, at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. It is the first time these two sides have ever contested an Asian Games cricket final. The gold medal is on the line, and for Indian cricket fans, there is no bigger fixture on the calendar.
This guide covers everything you need to know before the match — squads, pitch conditions, key battles, how to watch, and how to get your Gold365 ID so you can bet on the action.
Match Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Pakistan vs India, Gold Medal Match |
| Series | Asian Games 2026 |
| Venue | Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan |
| Date | Saturday, October 3, 2026 |
| Time | 1:30 PM LOCAL / 10:00 AM IST / 4:30 AM GMT |
| TV Broadcast | Sony Sports Network |
| Live Streaming | SonyLIV |
India are the defending champions, having won gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. Pakistan’s men have never won the Asian Games cricket title.
How Both Teams Reached the Final
India’s Route
India’s campaign has been built on dominance. In the semi-final against Sri Lanka, Ishan Kishan struck 80 not out from 46 balls to guide India to 169/7. The bowling response was devastating — Sri Lanka collapsed to 33/6 inside the powerplay and were eventually bowled out for just 45, handing India a 124-run victory. Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in the opening over, and Axar Patel took two more in the fourth.
Pakistan’s Route
Pakistan’s path to the final was shaped by weather. Their semi-final against Bangladesh was reduced to 13 overs per side due to a wet outfield. Bangladesh posted 111/7, with Sufyan Moqim taking 3/26 and Arafat Minhas claiming 2/23. Pakistan chased the revised target of 112 in just 11.3 overs, with Abdul Samad finishing unbeaten on 30 from 15 balls and Hasan Nawaz contributing 27 from 22.
Squad Overview
India Squad
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeeper | Sanju Samson (wk) |
| Batters | Shreyas Iyer (c), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube |
| All-Rounders | Axar Patel, Washington Sundar |
| Bowlers | Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yash Thakur, Vipraj Nigam |
Support Staff: VVS Laxman, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Sunil Joshi, Subhadeep Ghosh
Pakistan Squad
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeeper | Usman Khan (wk) |
| Batters | Sahibzada Farhan (c), Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad |
| All-Rounders | Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Wasim Jr |
| Bowlers | Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Moqim, Saad Masood, Ali Raza, Akif Javed, Haider Ali |
Support Staff: Mike Hesson, Asad Shafiq, Ashley Noffke, Shane McDermott
Pitch Report: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin
The surface at Korogi Sports Park has been the dominant storyline of this tournament. It is slow, dry, and abrasive, offering substantial turn and grip for spin bowlers.
Key Pitch Data
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Average first-innings score | 107 runs across completed fixtures |
| Chasing record | 3 wins from 4 completed matches |
| Spin dominance | 41 wickets to spinners vs 18 to seamers |
| Rain impact | Persistent rain has made the surface even slower and the outfield sluggish |
What This Means for the Final
The pitch has effectively narrowed the gap between a full-strength India side and a Pakistan team missing most of its senior names. With conditions favouring spin, the battle between the two sides’ slow bowlers will likely decide the match. India’s spin trio of Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravi Bishnoi becomes a critical weapon. Pakistan will look to Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim to exploit the same conditions.
Weather Watch
There is no reserve day for the final. Under the 2026 regulations, an abandoned final would leave India and Pakistan sharing the gold medal. Weather has already disrupted the tournament extensively, with four quarter-finals washed out entirely.
Key Battles to Watch
Ishan Kishan vs Pakistan’s Spinners
Kishan’s 80 off 46 against Sri Lanka was the innings that set up India’s final berth. On a surface offering turn, his ability to attack spin through the middle overs will be crucial. Pakistan will target him early with Abrar Ahmed.
Jasprit Bumrah vs Sahibzada Farhan
Bumrah’s opening spell against Sri Lanka — two wickets in the first over — set the tone for India’s dominant defence. Farhan, Pakistan’s captain, has shown he can score quickly at the top. This contest could decide the powerplay.
India’s Spin Trio vs Pakistan’s Middle Order
Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Ravi Bishnoi will bowl the bulk of India’s overs. Pakistan’s batting unit, built around PSL performers rather than established international names, will need to find a way to rotate strike and avoid getting bogged down.
Head-to-Head Context
India and Pakistan have never met in an Asian Games cricket final before this match. India hold a commanding head-to-head record in T20Is overall, leading 14-3, and have won eight of the last ten meetings. Pakistan’s men have never won the Asian Games cricket title, while India arrive as defending champions.
For India, a gold medal is expected. For Pakistan, it would represent a significant upset and a first Asian Games cricket gold.
Why This Match Matters for Bettors
Three factors make this final particularly interesting from a betting perspective.
The pitch neutralises star power. A slow, spinning surface reduces the advantage India’s star-studded batting lineup would normally hold. This compresses the odds and creates potential value on Pakistan at longer prices.
Weather introduces uncertainty. With no reserve day and rain a constant threat throughout the tournament, match-result markets carry an unusual layer of risk. Markets that depend on a full 20-over contest may not settle as expected.
India’s rotation is untested. India have barely been tested in this tournament. Their quarter-final against Afghanistan was washed out, and the semi-final against Sri Lanka was a one-sided affair. Whether their middle order can handle pressure if Pakistan’s spinners strike early is an open question.
You can explore all the markets available for this match — match winner, top batsman, top bowler, total runs, and live in-play options — on our Cricket page once you have your Gold365 ID.
How to Get Your Gold365 ID in 2 Minutes
Betting on the Asian Games final starts with a single step: getting your Gold365 ID.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Click the WhatsApp button on the Gold365 official website |
| 2 | Send a message: “I want a Gold365 ID” |
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Betting Markets Available for the Final
| Market | Description |
|---|---|
| Match Winner | Predict which team wins the gold medal |
| Top Batsman | Bet on the highest run-scorer in the match |
| Top Bowler | Predict the leading wicket-taker |
| Total Runs (Over/Under) | Bet on combined match runs |
| Toss Winner | Predict who wins the coin toss |
| Live In-Play | Real-time betting as the match unfolds |
| Player Performance Props | Individual milestones and achievements |
Responsible Betting Reminder
This is a high-profile match, and betting on it should be entertainment — not a financial strategy.
| Responsible Gaming Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Set a budget before you bet | Decide how much you can afford to lose |
| Never chase losses | Don’t increase stakes to recover money |
| Take breaks | Regular breaks keep decisions clear |
| Must be 18+ | Age verification is strictly enforced |
| Self-exclusion tools | Available if betting stops feeling controlled |
Gold365 provides deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion options through your account dashboard. Visit our Responsible Gaming page to learn how these tools work.
Match Summary
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Favourites | India — defending champions, full-strength squad |
| Underdogs | Pakistan — missing senior players, but conditions suit them |
| Key Factor | Spin-friendly pitch neutralises star power |
| Weather Risk | Rain could force a shared gold medal |
| Where to Bet | Gold365 — get your ID in 2 minutes |
Final Thoughts
India and Pakistan will meet for the first time in an Asian Games cricket final. India are the defending champions with a full-strength squad. Pakistan have reached the final without most of their senior players and will rely on conditions that suit their spin attack.
The pitch is slow. The weather is unpredictable. The stakes are as high as they get.
Whether you are backing India to defend their title or Pakistan to pull off an upset, having a Gold365 ID means you can follow the action with more than just pride on the line.
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