Published: October 2, 2026 at 10:02 am
India and Pakistan, the two Asian cricket powerhouses, will reignite one of sport’s most celebrated rivalries in what will be their first meeting in a final since the Asia Cup 2025, setting the stage for an unmissable clash for continental supremacy. With the gold medal at stake, the arch-rivals will bring the intensity of cricket’s biggest rivalry to a final that promises to draw fans across the country.
An India-Pakistan final is an occasion that draws fans well beyond the regular cricket audience. This Saturday, the rivalry takes on added significance as the two teams compete for Asian Games gold, with national pride and a place at the top of the podium on the line.
India earned their place in the final with an emphatic 124-run victory over Sri Lanka. After advancing to the semifinals as the higher-ranked side following their rain-abandoned quarterfinal against Afghanistan, the Men in Blue delivered a commanding performance to move within one win of gold.
Pakistan, meanwhile, secured a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in their semifinal, having progressed from a rain-hit quarterfinal against Hong Kong. Their victory sets up a title clash between the tournament’s two highest-seeded teams.
With both sides arriving in the final after convincing semifinal wins, fans can look forward to a fiercely contested encounter and another memorable chapter in the India-Pakistan rivalry.
Live coverage of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final begins at 9.30 am IST on Saturday (October 3), on Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV. The match is scheduled to start at 10 am IST.
