Asian Games 2026 | Men’s Cricket Final  | IND vs PAK | Preview and Predictions

After demolishing Sri Lanka in the second semi-final Shreyas Iyer and his boys have set up a grand final date with arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the Asian Game’s Men’s Cricket tournament. Pakistan beat Bangladesh to make the final with both teams coming into the final off the back of having played only one game. 

Ahead of the Asian Games Men’s Cricket competition final between India and Pakistan, here’s our match 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 friendly against Japan and the semi-final), their batting hasn’t been the smoothest on slow and gripping wickets. Sanju Samson continued his run of low scores while Abhishek Sharma’s aggressive intent backfired against Sri Lanka. The young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with Sharma provides one of the most explosive opening pairs in world cricket while the middle order is also packed with experience and talent with the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishn, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube. India bats deep with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar as the all-rounders coming in as late as no.9 which gives their explosive top order freedom as well. 

On slow pitches, India have gone in with one seamer, in Jasprit Bumrah while Shivam Dube is the second seam bowling option for India. India has a strong spin bowling attack led by Ravi Bishnoi, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar with Abhishek Sharma becoming more than a handy option for skipper Iyer with the ball. The slower bowlers have made the most of the conditions in Japan and will be key for the Men in Blue 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 with the young Maaz Sadaqat showing glimpses of explosiveness against Bangladesh and will be one to look out for. Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas are Pakistan’s two main allrounders who will be key thanks to their spin bowling abilities. Like India, Pakistan also has a spin-heavy attack for the conditions. Ahmed Daniyal is the only seamer while Abrar Ahmed is their key bowler with Arafat Minhas, Sufyan Moqim and Saim Ayub making up the spin quartet. 

As seen in the four full games that have taken place so far, pitches are slow, turning and the odd ball will grip. While there might not be a lot of runs on offer, India’s incredible explosive batting unit are an anomaly and could end up putting up a big score if they bat first. The more experienced squad with incredible firepower at their disposal makes India as clear favourites to take 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