India and Pakistan are unlikely to square off across men’s or women’s cricket at the upcoming Nagoya Asian Games unless it’s for the medal.
Unlike other ICC or ACC tournaments, where the traditional rivals are often slotted together for engagement and revenue purposes, the two teams might not face each other at all in this competition unless it's the gold medal match or the bronze-medal play-off.
The continental event will take place from September 19 to October 4, with cricket scheduled from September 17 to October 3, starting with the women’s cricket. The women’s cricket final will be held on September 22, following which the men’s competition will get underway.
Direct qualification has been granted to India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh for the quarterfinals based on rankings. Preliminary group stage features six other teams, including Afghanistan, fighting for the remaining four knockout spots.
The semifinal seeding ensures that the winner of quarterfinal 2, which could be India, will face the winner of quarterfinal 3; whereas, the winner of quarterfinal 1, which could be Pakistan, will take on the winner of quarterfinal 4. The two semifinals are scheduled for October 1.
Such a scenario only means that India and Pakistan can’t meet before the gold medal match. They could also clash for the bronze medal match, should the two teams lose their respective semifinals. Both fixtures are scheduled for October 3.
The remaining teams in the men’s competition are Nepal, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Malaysia and Oman.
Similarly, India-Pakistan women's cricket clash at the Asian Games is only possible in a medal match (gold or bronze) on September 22, as the tournament format places them on opposite sides of the knockout draw.
India have earned a direct quarterfinal berth against Japan, with potential semi-final opponents being Bangladesh or Hong Kong, China
Pakistan will also start their campaign directly in the quarterfinal facing Thailand, with a prospective semi-final against Sri Lanka or Malaysia.
Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya will stage all cricket matches at the 2026 Asian Games.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
