The Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket competition reaches the semi-final stage on Thursday, October 1, with Pakistan facing Bangladesh and defending champions India meeting Sri Lanka in Nisshin, Japan. Pakistan’s semi-final is scheduled for the morning at Korogi Sports Park, followed by India versus Sri Lanka in the afternoon. All four quarter-finals were abandoned because of persistent rain, allowing the higher-ranked teams to advance without a ball being bowled.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Semi-Final
Pakistan will meet Bangladesh in the first Asian Games men’s cricket semi-final on October 1. The match is scheduled for 9:00am local time at Korogi Sports Park.
Pakistan entered the knockout stage directly as one of the four highest-ranked seeded teams. Its quarter-final against Hong Kong was abandoned without a toss on September 28 after persistent rain made play impossible. Pakistan progressed because of its higher ICC T20I ranking under the tournament playing conditions.
Bangladesh reached the semi-finals through the same mechanism. Its quarter-final against Malaysia was abandoned without a ball being bowled on September 29, with Bangladesh advancing as the higher-ranked side.
As a result, neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh has played a competitive match in the men’s Asian Games tournament before the semi-final. Both teams therefore face a knockout match as their opening contest in Japan.
Pakistan will be led by Sahibzada Farhan, who captains a 15-member squad including Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Haider Ali, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Abrar Ahmed. Mike Hesson is the head coach.
Bangladesh will be without batter Najmul Hossain Shanto, who was ruled out of the Asian Games after illness. Litton Das is listed as captain, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Mustafizur Rahman, Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain among the squad.
The weather remains a major storyline. Persistent rain washed out all four men’s quarter-finals, while tournament officials have been working to prepare the ground for the semi-finals.
What Happens if Rain Interrupts the Semi-Finals?
Rain could again influence the knockout stage. Under the competition regulations, if a semi-final cannot produce a result, the higher-ranked team advances to the final.
That rule determined the quarter-finalists. Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were the four seeded teams, and all advanced after their respective matches were abandoned.
For Pakistan, this means the team could reach the gold-medal match without playing a competitive match in Japan. If Pakistan and Bangladesh cannot complete their semi-final, Pakistan’s higher ranking would determine the finalist. The same principle applies to India and Sri Lanka.
Organisers are working to avoid another washout. Tournament director Jarrad Shearer said crews were using equipment including squeegees, brooms and sponges to dry areas outside the covers, with improved weather expected to help.
India vs Sri Lanka Semi-Final
The second semi-final brings together defending champions India and Sri Lanka. It is scheduled for 2:00pm local time on October 1, or 10:00am in Pakistan.
India entered the tournament as defending champions after winning men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou Games. Its quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned because of rain, with India advancing on its higher ranking.
Sri Lanka also advanced without playing in the quarter-finals. Its scheduled match against Nepal was washed out, and Sri Lanka moved into the last four as the higher-ranked team.
India are led by Shreyas Iyer and have a squad including Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson and young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Sri Lanka’s squad includes captain Sahan Arachchige, Ashen Bandara, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Thushara and Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.
The semi-final winners will advance to the gold-medal match on October 3. The losing teams will meet for bronze on the same day.
Pakistan’s Route to the Gold Medal Match
For Pakistan, beating Bangladesh would secure a place in the Asian Games men’s cricket final. A victory would put Sahibzada Farhan’s side one match away from Pakistan’s first men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. Pakistan previously won bronze in the men’s event in 2010, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India have each won a men’s title in previous editions.
Pakistan’s squad combines international experience with emerging T20 players. Saim Ayub, Abrar Ahmed, Haider Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jnr are among those with international exposure, while several younger members have an opportunity to make an impression in a major multi-sport tournament.
The lack of match practice is an unusual factor. Pakistan prepared through a training camp in Karachi before travelling to Japan, but the team has not yet faced a competitive ball in the tournament because its quarter-final was washed out.
The same applies to Bangladesh, making the semi-final an immediate test of preparation, adaptability and execution.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh: Match Time for Pakistani Fans
The Pakistan-Bangladesh semi-final is scheduled for 5:00am Pakistan Standard Time on October 1. The match will be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
The second semi-final between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled for 10:00am Pakistan time. The medal matches will follow on October 3, with the final deciding the Asian Games men’s cricket gold medal and the other match determining b
The Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semi-finals have been shaped by rain before a single knockout delivery could be bowled. Pakistan and Bangladesh will meet on October 1, while India and Sri Lanka contest the other semi-final.
For Pakistan, the match is an important opportunity for Sahibzada Farhan’s team to reach the gold-medal final. After the quarter-final washout, Pakistan will enter its first match of the tournament directly at the semi-final stage.
If weather allows both semi-finals to produce results, the winners will meet for gold on October 3. If rain intervenes again, the competition’s ranking-based rules could once more determine who advances.
