Asian Games Men's Cricket 2026: Complete schedule, groups, match dates, venues, broadcast channels, ticket details, timings and results.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026: Full Schedule, Groups, Match Dates, Venues, Broadcast, Kickoff Times, Tickets, Teams, Results and More
The Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 is set to become one of the most closely followed cricket events of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan. Cricket returns to the Asian Games after its successful appearance at Hangzhou 2023, and the men’s competition will feature 10 teams competing in T20 format for the continental gold medal.
The men’s tournament is scheduled from September 24 to October 3, 2026, with all matches to be played at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture. The competition begins with a six-match preliminary round involving Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal in Group A, and Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Oman in Group B. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, joining the four seeded teams—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The format makes the tournament particularly interesting. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka do not have to play the preliminary round and enter directly in the quarter-finals. India are the defending men’s Asian Games champions, having won the gold medal at Hangzhou 2023. (Asian Games Cricket)
For Indian cricket fans, the competition will be especially important because India will arrive with a strong T20 squad led by Shreyas Iyer. The original squad included Harshit Rana, but he has subsequently been ruled out through injury and Yash Thakur has been named as his replacement. (icc)
With the group stage, four quarter-finals, two semi-finals, the bronze-medal match and the gold-medal final, the men’s cricket competition offers a compact but highly competitive path to the podium.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026: Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 |
| Host | Aichi-Nagoya, Japan |
| Cricket Format | T20 |
| Number of Teams | 10 |
| Tournament Dates | September 24 to October 3, 2026 |
| Preliminary Round | September 24-26 |
| Quarter-Finals | September 28-29 |
| Semi-Finals | October 1 |
| Bronze Medal Match | October 3 |
| Gold Medal Match | October 3 |
| Venue | Korogi Athletic Park, Nisshin |
| Group A | Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal |
| Group B | Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Oman |
| Seeded Teams | India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka |
| Defending Champions | India |
| India Captain | Shreyas Iyer |
| Indian Broadcast | Sony Sports Network |
| Indian Streaming | Sony LIV |
| Preliminary Match Start Times | 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM JST |
| Main IST Times | 5:30 AM and 10:30 AM |
| Men’s Ticket Range | ¥2,000 to ¥10,000 for adults |
The competition and groups were formally announced by the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Organising Committee, while the official ticket guide provides session-wise pricing.
When Will the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 Start?
The men’s cricket tournament will begin on Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Two preliminary matches will be played on the opening day:
Afghanistan vs Japan at 9:00 AM JST
Hong Kong, China vs Malaysia at 2:00 PM JST
The preliminary round continues on September 25 and September 26.
After the six group-stage matches, the competition moves into the quarter-finals on September 28 and 29. The semi-finals will be played on October 1, while the bronze-medal match and final will both take place on October 3.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 Groups
The men’s tournament has a slightly unusual structure because only six teams play in the preliminary round.
Group A
Afghanistan
Japan
Nepal
Group B
Hong Kong, China
Malaysia
Oman
Seeded Teams
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
The top two teams from Group A and the top two teams from Group B advance to the quarter-finals.
This means the four seeded nations avoid the opening round and enter the competition from the knockout stage.
Why India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Enter Directly
The four seeded teams—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka—are directly placed into the knockout stage.
This structure protects some of the strongest teams in Asian cricket from potentially being eliminated before the quarter-finals.
For the preliminary-round teams, however, there is little margin for error.
Each group contains three teams and only the top two advance.
Therefore, one poor result can make qualification extremely difficult.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 Complete Schedule
The official men’s schedule is as follows.
September 24, 2026
Match 1: Afghanistan vs Japan
Date: Thursday, September 24
Start: 9:00 AM JST
India Time: 5:30 AM IST
Group: A
Venue: Korogi Athletic Park
The tournament begins with Afghanistan facing hosts Japan.
Afghanistan’s T20 cricket experience gives it a clear advantage on paper, but Japan will enjoy local familiarity and the support of the home crowd.
Match 2: Hong Kong, China vs Malaysia
Date: Thursday, September 24
Start: 2:00 PM JST
India Time: 10:30 AM IST
Group: B
Venue: Korogi Athletic Park
The second match of the tournament will be a Group B contest between Hong Kong, China and Malaysia.
Both sides will know that winning the opening game could provide a major boost in the race for the top two positions.
September 25, 2026
Match 3: Hong Kong, China vs Oman
Date: Friday, September 25
Start: 9:00 AM JST
India Time: 5:30 AM IST
Group: B
Venue: Korogi Athletic Park
The second match for Hong Kong, China comes against Oman.
The short gap means teams will have to manage recovery and bowling workloads carefully.
Match 4: Afghanistan vs Nepal
Date: Friday, September 25
Start: 2:00 PM JST
India Time: 10:30 AM IST
Group: A
Venue: Korogi Athletic Park
Afghanistan’s second preliminary-round match is against Nepal.
Nepal’s growing T20 reputation makes this an important Group A contest.
The game could go a long way toward determining who finishes first and second in the group.
September 26, 2026
Match 5: Japan vs Nepal
Date: Saturday, September 26
Start: 9:00 AM JST
India Time: 5:30 AM IST
Group: A
Venue: Korogi Athletic Park
The final Group A match pits Japan against Nepal.
By this point, the qualification equation should be clearer, although net run rate could become important if teams finish level on points.
Match 6: Malaysia vs Oman
Date: Saturday, September 26
Start: 2:00 PM JST
India Time: 10:30 AM IST
Group: B
Venue: Korogi Athletic Park
The preliminary stage ends with Malaysia taking on Oman.
As with Group A, this match could determine the final Group B standings and quarter-final qualification.
Quarter-Final Schedule
The four quarter-finals will feature the four seeded teams against the four preliminary-round qualifiers.
Quarter-Final 1
Date: Monday, September 28
Time: 9:00 AM JST
India Time: 5:30 AM IST
Match: Pakistan vs 2nd place, Group B
Ticket Code: CKT15
Quarter-Final 2
Date: Monday, September 28
Time: 1:30 PM JST
India Time: 10:00 AM IST
Match: India vs 2nd place, Group A
Ticket Code: CKT16
This will be India’s first official men’s cricket match of the competition.
Quarter-Final 3
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Time: 9:00 AM JST
India Time: 5:30 AM IST
Match: Sri Lanka vs 1st place, Group A
Ticket Code: CKT17
Quarter-Final 4
Date: Tuesday, September 29
Time: 1:30 PM JST
India Time: 10:00 AM IST
Match: Bangladesh vs 1st place, Group B
Ticket Code: CKT18
The official competition schedule confirms these four quarter-final matchups.
Semi-Final Schedule
The semi-finals will take place on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
Semi-Final 1
Time: 9:00 AM JST
India Time: 5:30 AM IST
Match: Winner of Quarter-Final 1 vs Winner of Quarter-Final 4
Ticket Code: CKT19
Semi-Final 2
Time: 1:30 PM JST
India Time: 10:00 AM IST
Match: Winner of Quarter-Final 2 vs Winner of Quarter-Final 3
Ticket Code: CKT20
This bracket could potentially create a major India-Pakistan clash, although that outcome will depend entirely on the quarter-final results.
Bronze Medal Match
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM JST
India Time: 5:30 AM IST
Ticket Code: CKT21
The bronze-medal match gives the losing semi-finalists a final opportunity to finish on the podium.
The adult general-admission ticket price for this session is listed at ¥8,000.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 Final
Gold Medal Match
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 1:30 PM JST
India Time: 10:00 AM IST
Ticket Code: CKT22
The gold-medal match will decide the men’s Asian Games cricket champion.
The official Aichi-Nagoya schedule lists the final for 1:30 PM JST at Korogi Athletic Park.
The adult general-admission price for the final is listed at ¥10,000, with a child ticket priced at ¥5,000.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 Schedule in IST
Indian viewers will have to wake up early for some of the matches because Japan is 3 hours and 30 minutes ahead of India.
| Date | Match | JST | IST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 24 | Afghanistan vs Japan | 9:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
| Sept. 24 | Hong Kong vs Malaysia | 2:00 PM | 10:30 AM |
| Sept. 25 | Hong Kong vs Oman | 9:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
| Sept. 25 | Afghanistan vs Nepal | 2:00 PM | 10:30 AM |
| Sept. 26 | Japan vs Nepal | 9:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
| Sept. 26 | Malaysia vs Oman | 2:00 PM | 10:30 AM |
| Sept. 28 | Pakistan vs Group B No. 2 | 9:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
| Sept. 28 | India vs Group A No. 2 | 1:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Sept. 29 | Sri Lanka vs Group A No. 1 | 9:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
| Sept. 29 | Bangladesh vs Group B No. 1 | 1:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Oct. 1 | Semi-final 1 | 9:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
| Oct. 1 | Semi-final 2 | 1:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
| Oct. 3 | Bronze Medal Match | 9:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
| Oct. 3 | Final | 1:30 PM | 10:00 AM |
These times are calculated from the official Japanese start times.
Venue: Korogi Athletic Park
Every men’s and women’s cricket match at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 will be played at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture.
The Aichi-Nagoya organising committee identifies Korogi Athletic Park as the cricket venue. It was developed as a cricket ground for the Asian Games and is described by the organisers as the second facility in Japan with a natural-grass pitch meeting international competition requirements.
The choice of Nisshin is particularly significant because cricket does not have the same established infrastructure in Japan that it has in South Asia, Australia or England.
The new venue therefore represents an important investment in growing the game in Japan.
Why the Japanese Venue Is Significant for Cricket
Japan is not traditionally associated with international cricket.
However, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are giving cricket a high-profile stage in the country.
The venue is located in Nisshin City, within Aichi Prefecture and close to Nagoya.
Local organizers have been working to make the ground suitable for international cricket, while Japan’s national side is also gaining greater exposure.
The decision to retain cricket in the Asian Games is linked in part to the sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, as well as the popularity of cricket across Asia. The Olympic Council of Asia confirmed cricket’s inclusion for Aichi-Nagoya in 2025.
All Men’s Cricket Teams at Asian Games 2026
The 10 participating men’s teams are:
Group A
Afghanistan
Japan
Nepal
Group B
Hong Kong, China
Malaysia
Oman
Seeded teams
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
The tournament’s structure means that all 10 teams are part of the competition, but only six compete in the preliminary phase.
India Men’s Cricket Team at Asian Games 2026
India will enter the tournament as the defending men’s champion.
India won the gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, when cricket returned to the Games after its absence from the Jakarta 2018 edition.
For Aichi-Nagoya 2026, India has named a strong squad led by Shreyas Iyer. The squad announced by the ICC includes:
- Shreyas Iyer – Captain
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson
- Ishan Kishan
- Shivam Dube
- Tilak Varma
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Harshit Rana
- Arshdeep Singh
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
However, Harshit Rana has subsequently been ruled out with a hamstring injury and Yash Thakur has been named as his replacement. (icc)
India’s squad contains a mixture of experienced international players and emerging talent.
Jasprit Bumrah’s Inclusion
Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion is one of the major talking points around India’s Asian Games squad.
His presence gives the team an experienced fast bowler capable of making a difference in a short T20 game.
However, workload and fitness management will remain important considerations.
Bumrah’s participation is especially significant because India is attempting to defend its Asian Games gold medal while also managing a demanding international calendar.
Shreyas Iyer as India’s Captain
Shreyas Iyer will lead India’s men’s side.
His experience in limited-overs cricket makes him an important figure in the tournament.
As captain, he will be responsible for handling a squad that combines established international names with emerging players.
India’s first official men’s Asian Games match will be the September 28 quarter-final against the second-placed Group A team.
Afghanistan: Group A Favorite
Afghanistan is likely to be the strongest side in Group A.
Its T20 cricket experience, quality spin attack and aggressive batting make it a formidable opponent.
The Afghan side is led by Darwish Rasooli, according to the squad information published by the ICC. The announced group includes players such as Karim Janat, Najibullah Zadran and Nangyal Kharoti.
Afghanistan begins the tournament against Japan before facing Nepal.
Finishing first in the group would be valuable because it would create a more favorable route into the quarter-final bracket.
Nepal: A Dangerous T20 Opponent
Nepal has developed a strong T20 cricket following and has players capable of performing under pressure.
Their squad includes experienced names such as Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Kumar Paudel, Sompal Kami, Karan KC and Sandeep Lamichhane. (icc)
Nepal could therefore challenge Afghanistan for the top position in Group A.
Japan: The Host Nation
Japan’s presence makes the tournament especially significant for the host country.
Japan’s cricket team is still developing compared with established Asian cricket nations, but playing in the Asian Games provides an unprecedented opportunity for exposure.
Japan will face Afghanistan on the opening day and Nepal on September 26.
The home environment could help the team, particularly if players adapt quickly to the new venue and conditions.
Group B: Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman
Group B is likely to be closely contested.
Hong Kong, Malaysia and Oman all have experience in international T20 cricket and will know that a place in the quarter-finals is within reach.
There is no seeded heavyweight in the group, so the preliminary stage could provide some of the most evenly matched contests of the tournament.
Pakistan’s Asian Games Campaign
Pakistan is one of the four seeded teams and therefore enters at the quarter-final stage.
Pakistan’s quarter-final will take place on September 28 at 9:00 AM JST, against the second-placed Group B side.
The Pakistan squad is led by Sahibzada Farhan, according to the ICC squad list, with players such as Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed and Hasan Nawaz included. (icc)
Bangladesh’s Asian Games Campaign
Bangladesh is also directly seeded into the quarter-finals.
The team is led by Litton Das and includes experienced players including Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman and Hasan Mahmud. (icc)
Bangladesh’s quarter-final is scheduled for September 29 at 1:30 PM JST.
Sri Lanka’s Asian Games Campaign
Sri Lanka is the fourth seeded men’s team.
Its quarter-final is scheduled for September 29 at 9:00 AM JST, against the winner of Group A.
That means Sri Lanka’s route could begin against either Afghanistan, Nepal or Japan, depending on the Group A standings.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 Match Results
One important point must be made regarding match results.
As of September 10, 2026, the men’s Asian Games cricket tournament has not yet started. The first men’s match is scheduled for September 24.
Therefore, there are currently no official men’s competition results to report.
The preliminary-round fixtures are still upcoming, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches.
A result tracker for the competition will look like this:
| Match | Status |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan vs Japan | Upcoming – Sept. 24 |
| Hong Kong vs Malaysia | Upcoming – Sept. 24 |
| Hong Kong vs Oman | Upcoming – Sept. 25 |
| Afghanistan vs Nepal | Upcoming – Sept. 25 |
| Japan vs Nepal | Upcoming – Sept. 26 |
| Malaysia vs Oman | Upcoming – Sept. 26 |
| Quarter-Finals | Upcoming |
| Semi-Finals | Upcoming |
| Bronze Medal Match | Upcoming |
| Final | Upcoming |
Once matches are played, the results will determine the quarter-final pairings and medal contenders.
How Group Points Will Matter
Because each preliminary group contains three teams and only two advance, every match is important.
Teams will receive points for wins according to the competition regulations, while a defeat can significantly damage qualification chances.
If two teams finish level on points, net run rate can become a crucial factor.
That means teams should not simply aim to win; they also have an incentive to win convincingly where possible.
This is particularly relevant in T20 cricket, where a strong margin can greatly improve a team’s net run rate.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 Broadcast in India
For Indian viewers, the 2026 Asian Games will be broadcast on the Sony Sports Network and streamed on Sony LIV.
Sony Pictures Networks India acquired the India and subcontinent media rights for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Sony LIV has also listed the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 as an upcoming sporting event.
For cricket fans in India, this means the men’s competition should be available through Sony’s Asian Games coverage.
The exact television channel carrying each cricket session can be checked closer to match day because multi-sport events can distribute coverage across multiple Sony Sports Network channels.
Broadcast Outside India
Broadcast arrangements can vary by country.
The India-specific rights are confirmed for Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV, but viewers in other countries should check their local Asian Games broadcaster.
This is particularly relevant for audiences in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and other cricket-playing Asian countries.
The tournament organisers may also provide official competition updates and live results through their digital platforms.
Asian Games Cricket 2026 Ticket Details
Tickets are officially available for the men’s cricket competition.
The official ticketing guide lists single-session general admission pricing for the cricket tournament.
The adult ticket prices are:
| Session | Ticket Code | Adult Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 24, 9:00 AM | CKT09 | ¥2,000 |
| Sept. 24, 2:00 PM | CKT10 | ¥2,000 |
| Sept. 25, 9:00 AM | CKT11 | ¥2,000 |
| Sept. 25, 2:00 PM | CKT12 | ¥2,000 |
| Sept. 26, 9:00 AM | CKT13 | ¥2,000 |
| Sept. 26, 2:00 PM | CKT14 | ¥2,000 |
| Sept. 28, 9:00 AM | CKT15 | ¥4,000 |
| Sept. 28, 1:30 PM | CKT16 | ¥4,000 |
| Sept. 29, 9:00 AM | CKT17 | ¥4,000 |
| Sept. 29, 1:30 PM | CKT18 | ¥4,000 |
| Oct. 1, 9:00 AM | CKT19 | ¥6,000 |
| Oct. 1, 1:30 PM | CKT20 | ¥6,000 |
| Oct. 3, 9:00 AM | CKT21 | ¥8,000 |
| Oct. 3, 1:30 PM | CKT22 | ¥10,000 |
The official guide lists child, disabled and wheelchair prices separately.
Child Ticket Prices
The ticket guide lists children’s prices at approximately half the standard adult rate.
For example:
- Preliminary round: ¥1,000
- Quarter-finals: ¥2,000
- Semi-finals: ¥3,000
- Bronze-medal match: ¥4,000
- Final: ¥5,000
The official guide also provides reduced prices for disabled spectators and specific wheelchair ticket categories.
How Much Does the Asian Games Cricket Final Ticket Cost?
The adult general-admission ticket for the men’s cricket final is listed at ¥10,000.
The child ticket is ¥5,000.
Disabled admission is listed at ¥9,700, while wheelchair admission is ¥10,000.
The final will be played on October 3 at 1:30 PM JST.
How Much Do Preliminary Round Tickets Cost?
The men’s preliminary-round sessions are the most affordable.
Adult general admission is listed at ¥2,000.
Children can attend for ¥1,000.
Disabled tickets are listed at ¥1,700, while wheelchair tickets are ¥2,000.
This makes the preliminary round a relatively accessible option for fans who want to experience international cricket in Japan.
What Is the Ticket Code for India’s Quarter-Final?
India’s scheduled quarter-final is:
Ticket Code: CKT16
Date: September 28, 2026
Time: 1:30 PM JST
The opponent will be the second-placed team from Group A.
The adult ticket for CKT16 is listed at ¥4,000.
What Could India Face in the Quarter-Final?
India will play Group A’s second-placed team.
Group A consists of:
Afghanistan
Japan
Nepal
Therefore, India’s opponent will be whichever of these three teams finishes second.
Afghanistan is likely to be the strongest candidate to top the group, but Nepal could also challenge strongly.
Japan will have home advantage.
India therefore cannot know its quarter-final opponent until the preliminary group is completed.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 Prediction
India enters the tournament as the defending champion and one of the strongest teams.
However, T20 cricket is inherently volatile.
A single over can change the direction of a match.
Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka also possess strong T20 squads, while Afghanistan has the potential to challenge any of the top seeds after advancing from Group A.
India as the Main Gold Medal Favorite
India has several reasons to be considered the favorite.
The squad includes:
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Abhishek Sharma
- Sanju Samson
- Ishan Kishan
- Tilak Varma
- Axar Patel
- Washington Sundar
- Varun Chakaravarthy
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Arshdeep Singh
The combination of experienced international cricketers and young talent gives India considerable depth. (icc)
India also has the psychological advantage of being the defending champion.
Pakistan as a Major Threat
Pakistan’s T20 tradition makes it one of India’s biggest potential rivals.
Its quarter-final position means the team only needs to win two knockout matches to reach the final.
If Pakistan reaches the semi-finals, an India-Pakistan final remains possible, depending on the bracket and results.
The possibility of such a match would generate enormous interest across Asia.
Afghanistan Could Cause an Upset
Afghanistan is arguably the most dangerous team outside the four seeded nations.
Its spin attack, experienced T20 players and ability to perform aggressively with the bat give it significant potential.
A first-place finish in Group A could place Afghanistan directly into the quarter-final against Sri Lanka.
A strong performance there could set up an even bigger knockout clash.
Nepal Could Be the Surprise Package
Nepal has become increasingly competitive in T20 cricket.
Players such as Sandeep Lamichhane, Dipendra Singh Airee, Rohit Paudel and Karan KC provide a mix of experience and match-winning ability. (icc)
Nepal will have to defeat strong opposition to advance, but the tournament could provide another major platform for the country’s growing cricket culture.
Possible India vs Pakistan Final
An India-Pakistan final cannot be predicted with certainty because both teams must navigate the knockout bracket.
However, the structure creates the possibility of such a contest.
India plays the second-placed Group A team in the quarter-final.
Pakistan plays the second-placed Group B team.
If both teams win their quarter-finals and then progress through their respective semi-final routes, they could meet in the gold-medal match.
This is one of the most exciting possibilities for fans following the competition.
Most Important Players to Watch
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah can change a T20 match with the new ball or at the death.
Abhishek Sharma
An aggressive opening batter, Abhishek can provide India with a fast start.
Sanju Samson
His wicketkeeping and batting provide valuable flexibility.
Tilak Varma
Tilak’s ability to bat in pressure situations makes him an important middle-order option.
Axar Patel
Axar offers value with both bat and ball.
Varun Chakaravarthy
His mystery-spin style could be effective on unfamiliar surfaces.
Why the Asian Games Matter for Cricket
The Asian Games are more than a regional sporting competition.
Cricket’s inclusion gives the sport exposure in countries where it has historically had a smaller following.
Japan provides a particularly interesting example.
The tournament could help:
- Increase cricket participation in Japan.
- Introduce the sport to new audiences.
- Develop new cricket infrastructure.
- Encourage young Japanese athletes to take up cricket.
- Strengthen Asian cricket’s regional profile.
The Olympic connection also makes the Asian Games important for cricket’s long-term global development. The OCA highlighted cricket’s inclusion in Aichi-Nagoya in the context of its growing importance and its presence at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Weather and Playing Conditions
Conditions in Japan could be unfamiliar to many of the participating teams.
Unlike the established cricket environments of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, Japanese cricket infrastructure is comparatively new.
The pitch at Korogi Athletic Park was developed specifically for the Games and is intended to satisfy international competition requirements.
Teams will therefore need to adapt quickly.
The toss could become important, particularly if conditions change significantly between the morning and afternoon sessions.
Importance of the Morning Matches
The 9:00 AM JST matches will begin much earlier than many international T20 matches typically do.
This may affect:
- Batting tempo
- Swing and seam movement
- Spin
- Player routines
- Warm-up schedules
- Recovery
- Strategic decisions at the toss
Teams accustomed to afternoon and evening cricket will have to adjust to the early starting times.
Importance of the 2:00 PM Matches
The afternoon games will provide different conditions.
The temperature, sunlight and surface behaviour can differ from a morning match.
Teams batting second may also experience a different outfield and pitch compared with the early fixture.
Because both sessions take place at the same venue, experience from the first days of the competition could be valuable.
Does Net Run Rate Matter?
Yes.
The preliminary groups are small, with three teams each.
A tie on points can make net run rate decisive.
This means teams should aim not merely to win, but to win comfortably where possible.
For example, a team that wins one match and loses another could still qualify based on net run rate.
This could make the final preliminary-round fixtures particularly important.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026: Tournament Roadmap
The competition follows a clear progression.
September 24-26
Preliminary round
September 28-29
Quarter-finals
October 1
Semi-finals
October 3
Bronze-medal match and final
There are no men’s cricket matches scheduled on September 27 or September 30.
This gives the knockout teams short preparation windows between rounds.
2026 Asian Games Cricket and the Olympic Connection
Cricket is now part of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic programme, making appearances at multi-sport competitions such as the Asian Games increasingly significant.
The Aichi-Nagoya tournament gives Asian cricket nations the opportunity to compete in a high-profile multi-sport environment.
For emerging cricket nations, it also provides an opportunity to develop high-level experience.
The return of cricket at Aichi-Nagoya was strongly supported by the Olympic Council of Asia partly because cricket’s Olympic inclusion creates additional international importance for the sport.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026: What Fans Should Expect
Fans can expect a tournament containing several different types of cricketing stories.
There will be the elite contest between India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
There will be Afghanistan’s attempt to break into the medal picture.
There will be Nepal’s push to qualify from Group A.
There will be a three-team battle in Group B.
And there will be Japan’s opportunity to showcase its developing cricket culture in front of a home audience.
That combination makes the tournament much more interesting than a simple heavyweight competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 start?
The men’s cricket competition starts on September 24, 2026, with Afghanistan vs Japan and Hong Kong, China vs Malaysia.
When is the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Final 2026?
The gold-medal final is scheduled for October 3, 2026 at 1:30 PM JST.
What time is the Asian Games cricket final in India?
The final begins at approximately 10:00 AM IST.
Where will Asian Games cricket matches be played?
All men’s and women’s cricket matches will be played at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture.
How many men’s teams are in Asian Games cricket 2026?
There are 10 men’s teams.
Which teams are in Group A?
Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal.
Which teams are in Group B?
Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Oman.
Which teams get direct entry to the quarter-finals?
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are the four seeded teams that enter directly at the quarter-final stage.
When does India play its first match?
India’s first official men’s Asian Games match is the quarter-final on September 28, 2026 at 1:30 PM JST, against the second-placed Group A team.
Who is India’s captain?
Shreyas Iyer is India’s men’s captain for the Asian Games cricket competition. (icc)
Is Jasprit Bumrah playing?
Bumrah is included in India’s announced Asian Games squad. (icc)
Who replaced Harshit Rana?
Yash Thakur has been named as Harshit Rana’s replacement after Rana was ruled out through injury.
Where can Indian fans watch the Asian Games cricket matches?
The Asian Games will be broadcast in India on Sony Sports Network and streamed on Sony LIV.
How much does an Asian Games cricket ticket cost?
Men’s preliminary-round tickets start at ¥2,000 for adults. Quarter-finals are ¥4,000, semi-finals ¥6,000, the bronze-medal match ¥8,000 and the final ¥10,000.
How much is the final ticket?
The adult general-admission ticket for the men’s cricket final is ¥10,000.
Have any men’s matches already been played?
No. As of September 10, 2026, the men’s tournament has not begun. The first official men’s match is scheduled for September 24.
Final Prediction
The Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 is expected to be one of the major cricket attractions of the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
India starts as the strongest gold-medal candidate because it is the defending champion and has named a high-quality squad containing players such as Jasprit Bumrah, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh. (icc)
Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are also direct quarter-final entrants and should not be underestimated.
Afghanistan has the potential to be the biggest challenger from the preliminary field, while Nepal could provide a major surprise.
The tournament’s format is particularly important. India and Pakistan can meet only later in the knockout stage, while the quarter-final opponents of the four seeded nations will not be known until the preliminary round is complete.
Predicted Gold Medalist: India
Predicted Silver Medalist: Pakistan
Predicted Bronze Medalist: Afghanistan or Sri Lanka
This is a prediction, not a confirmed outcome. T20 cricket can change dramatically because of one exceptional innings, one outstanding bowling spell or a strong performance under pressure.
Conclusion
The Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 will be played in Japan from September 24 to October 3, 2026, with all matches taking place at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, Aichi Prefecture. The tournament will feature 10 teams and will be played in T20 format.
Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal form Group A, while Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Oman form Group B. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are seeded directly into the quarter-finals. The top two teams from each preliminary group will complete the eight-team knockout stage.
The preliminary round runs from September 24 to 26, quarter-finals take place on September 28 and 29, the semi-finals are on October 1, and both the bronze-medal match and gold-medal final are scheduled for October 3.
For Indian viewers, the competition will be available through Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV, while cricket ticket prices range from ¥2,000 for preliminary-round adult tickets to ¥10,000 for the men’s final.
As of September 10, the men’s tournament has not yet started, so there are no official match results at this stage. The first result that will shape the competition will come on September 24, when Afghanistan takes on Japan.
India’s position as defending champion and the strength of its announced squad make it the leading contender for gold. But with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan all capable of producing high-quality T20 cricket, the road to the final could be much more competitive than the initial seedings suggest.
For Japan, meanwhile, hosting international cricket at a purpose-built Asian Games venue could become one of the most important moments in the development of the sport in the country.
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