4 hrs ago
India-Pakistan Asian Games Final Brings Handshake Rivalry Into Focus
India and Pakistan will play each other for the cricket gold medal at the Asian Games.
The match is expected to be very competitive because the two countries have a strong sporting rivalry.
Players may not shake hands before the game, as has happened in some recent meetings.
India has brought many of its best T20 players.
Pakistan has a younger team but has shown it can win important matches.
Rain helped both teams reach the final after one semifinal victory each.
The cricket pitch may have uneven bounce and offer help to spin bowlers.
India has several strong spinners and Jasprit Bumrah as a major fast-bowling threat.
Pakistan will hope its own spinners and key batters can cause an upset.
India and Pakistan are set to meet in the Asian Games men’s cricket final on Saturday at Korogi Park.
The customary handshake is unlikely, continuing a pattern seen in recent India-Pakistan sporting encounters.
India have selected a first-choice squad, including T20 stars and Jasprit Bumrah, while Pakistan have a younger side.
Rain allowed both teams to reach the final after only one win apiece following comfortable semifinal victories.
Uneven bounce and turn could narrow India’s advantage, making the teams’ spin attacks especially important.
- Who
- India and Pakistan’s men’s cricket teams, led by Shreyas Iyer and Sahibzada Farhan respectively.
- What
- They will contest the Asian Games men’s cricket gold-medal final, with the customary handshake unlikely to take place.
- Where
- Korogi Park, Japan.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Why
- The teams are competing for the Asian Games gold medal, while their wider sporting rivalry has made the handshake a prominent issue.
Key facts
- Event
- Asian Games men’s cricket final
- Teams
- India and Pakistan
- Venue
- Korogi Park, Japan
- India’s captain
- Shreyas Iyer
- Pakistan’s captain
- Sahibzada Farhan
- India’s key bowler
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Pitch conditions
- Uneven bounce and considerable turn caused by moisture and sunshine







