NAGOYA, Japan — Pakistan reached the men’s T20 cricket final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a semifinal shortened to 13 overs per side because of a wet outfield. The victory set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal match after India had earlier beaten Sri Lanka by 124 runs.
Rain changes another knockout match
Weather has been a recurring issue in the Asian Games cricket tournament. Rain had already washed out several men’s quarterfinals, forcing the competition to rely on its ranking provisions. Pakistan’s semifinal was also affected, with the match reduced to 13 overs per side.
Bangladesh set 112
Bangladesh scored 112 in its shortened innings. Towhid Hridoy top-scored with 42 and attempted to provide a competitive total despite the reduced number of deliveries. Pakistan’s bowlers kept the scoring under control enough to give their batters a manageable chase.
Abdul Samad finishes the chase
Pakistan reached the target with six wickets remaining. Abdul Samad stayed unbeaten on 30 from 15 balls and provided the acceleration required in a short chase. Left-arm spinner Sufyan Moqim also made an important contribution with three wickets for 26 runs.
India await in the final
Pakistan’s victory completed the final pairing. India had earlier posted 169 for seven against Sri Lanka, led by Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 80 from 46 balls. India’s bowlers then dismissed Sri Lanka for 45 to win by 124 runs.
The final will therefore bring India and Pakistan together for the Asian Games men’s T20 gold medal. The match is expected to receive significant attention across the region because of the rivalry between the two cricket teams.
A tournament shaped by weather
The unusual sequence of washouts has been one of the defining stories of cricket at Aichi-Nagoya. Several quarterfinals could not be played, meaning teams advanced under the tournament’s established ranking rules rather than through a completed knockout match. The situation created a different route to the semifinals from what spectators would normally expect in a T20 tournament.
NewsNationOnline previously reported on the rain disruption across Asian Games sports. Readers can also follow the wider Indian campaign through the India medal winners guide.
Gold medal now within reach
Both finalists are guaranteed at least silver, but the final will determine the cricket champion. For India, the match offers a chance to add another gold to its Asian Games campaign. For Pakistan, it provides an opportunity to convert the semifinal victory into the top podium position.
Official schedules and results can be checked through Aichi-Nagoya 2026 and the Olympic Council of Asia.
Editor’s note: This report reflects information available on October 1, 2026. Match schedules and final scores should be verified against official competition records.
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