India, Pakistan get direct quarterfinal entry in Asian Games cricket draw

The cricket draw for Asian Games 2026 is out. The defending Champion, Indian and their arch-rivals Pakistan have been given direct entry into the quarterfinals of both the Men’s and Women’s competition.

The women in blues will start their campaign in the Asian games against Japan, while the men’s opponents are yet to be decided; it will be decided at the end of the preliminary stage matches. They are most likely to face Pakistan in the semi-finals.

If the women’s team gets past Japan, they will be facing either Bangladesh or China in the semi-finals. The men’s cricket competition at the Games is set to begin from September 24 and it will conclude on October 1. The women’s event will be held from September 17 to 22. India could potentially face Pakistan in the finals and it is likely to be a crackerjacker as the neighbouring rivals will compete hard to be named the Asian champions.

The men’s competition features 10 teams, and the preliminary stage will feature two groups. Nepal, Japan, and Afghanistan in Group A. China, Malaysia, Oman, in Group B. Both the men and women’s matches will be played in T20 format at the Korogi Athletic Park. Shreyas Iyer will lead the men’s team, and Harmanpreet Kaur will captain the women’s side.

Cricket is included in the Asian Games schedule for the fourth time, having earlier featured in 2010 in Guangzhou, Incheon (2014) and Hangzhou (2023).