Pakistan-India Asian Games final: washed-out decider would mean shared gold
Pakistan-India Asian Games final: washed-out decider would mean shared gold
Pakistan and India will share the gold medal if rain prevents a result in the Pakistan India Asian Games final on Saturday, with both teams declared joint champions under the tournament’s playing regulations.
The arch-rivals meet in the gold-medal match at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin in the first-ever Pakistan-India men’s cricket clash at the Asian Games. Rain has already disrupted several matches in the competition, which is why the rules for an abandoned final matter.
Pakistan India Asian Games final rules explained
If the final cannot be completed and no result is possible, Pakistan and India will both be declared joint gold medallists. There is no provision to award the gold to the higher-ranked team.
That is a change from the previous edition in Hangzhou in 2023, when India were awarded the gold medal after rain washed out their final against Afghanistan. India were declared champions because they were the higher-ranked team under the regulations in place for that edition. That provision does not apply in 2026.
Contrasting routes to the final
India stormed into the final with a commanding 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the semi-final, posting 169 for seven in their 20 overs before bowling Sri Lanka out for just 45.
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-affected semi-final that was reduced to 13 overs per side. Bangladesh posted 111 for seven after being asked to bat first, while Pakistan chased the target down in 11.3 overs.
History on the line
Saturday’s contest will be Pakistan’s third men’s cricket medal match at the Asian Games. The Green Shirts won their first cricket medal in 2010, taking bronze after defeating Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh claimed gold that year by beating Afghanistan in the final. At the 2023 Games, Pakistan lost the bronze-medal match to Bangladesh.
Neither Pakistan nor India sent men’s cricket teams to the 2014 Asian Games because of scheduling conflicts and prior commitments.
Forecasters expect largely favourable weather in Nisshin on Saturday, with only a small chance of rain interrupting play.
What happens if the Pakistan-India Asian Games final is washed out?
Both teams will share the gold medal. Under the 2026 Asian Games regulations, an abandoned final with no possible result makes Pakistan and India joint champions.
Why was India awarded the gold medal in 2023?
Rain washed out the 2023 final against Afghanistan in Hangzhou, and India were declared champions as the higher-ranked team. That rule is no longer in force.
When is the Pakistan-India Asian Games cricket final?
The gold-medal match is scheduled for Saturday, 3 October 2026, at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
