Asian Games 2026 | Men’s Cricket Final | IND vs PAK | Preview and Predictions
After demolishing Sri Lanka in the semi-final, Shreyas Iyer & Co have set up a grand final date with arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket event. The Men in Green beat Bangladesh to make the final, with both teams coming into the game having played and won just one game in the event.
For the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final between India and Pakistan, here we present our preview and predictions.
India v Pakistan | Asian Games 2026: Men’s Cricket Final | 10:00 IST, October 3, 2026
In the two games India have played in Japan (one of them being a pre-tournament friendly against the hosts), their batting hasn’t been the smoothest on the slow and gripping wickets.
Sanju Samson has continued his run of low scores, while Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive intent backfired against Sri Lanka. The young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi makes one of the most explosive opening pairs in world cricket alongside Sharma, while the middle order is also packed with experience and talent thanks to the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube. India bat deep, with all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar coming in as late as No. 9, which gives India’s explosive top order more freedom.
Given the slow pitches, India have gone in with one seamer in Jasprit Bumrah, while Shivam Dube is the second seam option. The Men in Blue have a strong spin-bowling attack, featuring Ravi Bishnoi, Patel, and Sundar, with Sharma a more-than-handy option for skipper Iyer. The slower bowlers have made the most of the conditions in Japan, and they will be key for the country once again.
While India have come with the A-team, Pakistan have sent a mixture of youth and experience to the Asian Games, with Sahibzada Farhan leading the squad.
Usman Khan, Saim Ayub, and Hasan Nawaz are the experienced batters in the squad, while the young Maaz Sadaqat showed glimpses of explosiveness against Bangladesh and will be one to look out for. Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas are Pakistan’s two main all-rounders who will be key thanks to their spin-bowling abilities.
Like India, Pakistan also have a spin-heavy bowling attack to suit the conditions. Ahmed Daniyal is the only seam option, while Abrar Ahmed will lead the attack, with Arafat Minhas, Sufyan Moqim, and Saim Ayub making up the spin quartet.
As seen in the four games that have played out here, pitches are slow and turning and the odd ball will grip.
While there might not be a lot of runs on offer, India’s incredibly explosive batting unit are an anomaly and could end up putting up a big score if they bat first. Given their more experienced squad that boasts incredible firepower, India are our clear favourites to take home the gold.
Fantasy XI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma (c), Usman Khan, Shreyas Iyer, Saim Ayub, Axar Patel, Abdul Samad, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Sufyan Moqim, Ravi Bishnoi, Abrar Ahmed
Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan
Winners Prediction: India
