ACC announces schedule for Asian Games cricket competitions

Arch-rivals Pakistan and India can meet only in Asian Games final or bronze-medal clashes

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Sports Desk
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Pakistan players stand for the national anthem ahead of their ICC Mens T20 World Cup Super Eights match against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on February 28, 2026. — AFP
Pakistan players stand for the national anthem ahead of their ICC Men's T20 World Cup Super Eights match against Sri Lanka at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on February 28, 2026. — AFP

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Monday confirmed the schedule for the men’s and women’s cricket competitions at the forthcoming Asian Games, which will run from September 17 to October 3.

All cricket matches will be played in the T20 format at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya.

Pakistan's women's team will begin its campaign on September 17 against Thailand. The women's semi-finals are scheduled for September 20, followed by the bronze-medal match and final on September 22.

In the men's competition, the group stage will be held from September 24 to 26. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are among the seeded teams that will enter the competition at the quarter-final stage.

Pakistan will play its quarter-final on September 28 against the team finishing second in Group B, while India will face the Group A runners-up on the same day.

Under the draw, India and Pakistan can meet only in the gold-medal match or the bronze-medal play-off, both scheduled for October 3. The men’s semi-finals will be played on October 1.

In the previous Asian Games men's cricket competition, held in China in 2023, India were awarded the gold medal after the final against Afghanistan ended without a result.

In the bronze-medal match, Pakistan suffered a six-wicket defeat against Bangladesh, with the Tigers securing third place.

Meanwhile, a similar outcome was witnessed in the women's competition, with India winning the gold medal, Sri Lanka taking silver and Bangladesh securing bronze after defeating two-time gold medallists Pakistan.

Men's cricket schedule

Groups

  • Group A: Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal
  • Group B: Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Oman

Group stage

September 24

  • 9:00am — Afghanistan vs Japan
  • 2:00pm — Hong Kong vs Malaysia

September 25

  • 9:00am — Hong Kong vs Oman
  • 2:00pm — Afghanistan vs Nepal

September 26

  • 9:00am — Japan vs Nepal
  • 2:00pm — Malaysia vs Oman

Quarter-finals — September 28

  • 9:00am — Pakistan vs B2
  • 2:00pm — India vs A2

Quarter-finals — September 29

  • 9:00am — Sri Lanka vs A1
  • 2:00pm — Bangladesh vs B1

Knockout stage — October 1

  • 9:00am — Semi-final 1
  • 2:00pm — Semi-final 2

Medal Matches — October 3

  • 9:00am — Bronze-medal match
  • 2:00pm — Final

Women's cricket schedule

Quarter-finals

September 17

  • 9:00am — Bangladesh vs China
  • 2:00pm — Pakistan vs Thailand

September 18

  • 9:00am — Sri Lanka vs Malaysia
  • 2:00pm — India vs Japan

Knockout stage

September 20

  • 9:00am — Semi-final 1
  • 2:00pm — Semi-final 2

September 22

  • 9:00am — Bronze-medal match
  • 2:00pm — Final