The 2026 Asian Games are almost upon us, to be played in Japan from September 17. Cricket will be part of the games for the fourth time, with the women’s games starting a week before the men’s.
When are the women’s games starting and who all are playing?
What’s the format then?
This is a knockout tournament. Thursday will see the first two quarter-finals and Friday the other two. The first game will be played between Bangladesh and China (0000 GMT), followed by the clash between Pakistan and Thailand (0500 GMT). The third quarter-final will be between Malaysia and Sri Lanka on Friday (0000 GMT), and the fourth later that day between India and Japan (0500 GMT).
The two semi-finals are slotted for September 20 and the third place playoff and the final on September 22.
So when is India vs Pakistan?
That clash between the neighbours is not part of the schedule yet. However, they could meet only in the final if both teams make it that far. If both teams make the semis, India will take on the winner of Bangladesh vs China and Pakistan will face the winner of Sri Lanka vs Malaysia.
When was this tournament played last and who are the previous winners?
Before that, Pakistan won the gold in 2014 and in 2010. India did not participate in those two editions because of a packed international calendar.
Are India the favourites again?
Despite their early exit from the T20 World Cup in June-July, India are the title contenders yet again because they are the strongest team from Asia. They recently lifted won the T20 Asia Cup in Dubai by defeating Sri Lanka in the final and India are also the top-ranked team from Asia in T20Is, placed at third spot, followed by Sri Lanka at six, Pakistan at eight and Bangladesh on ten.
Who can give India a fight for the title?
Where will all the Asian Games matches be played?
Those matches were part of the men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier and acted as a test event for the upcoming games.
Are there any major names missing from this tournament?
Among the players missing for this Asian Games are India’s Jemimah Rodrigues (injury), Sri Lanka’s Vishmi Gunaratne and Nilakshika Silva, and Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal. Iqbal is, however, among the five Pakistan reserves for the tournament.