Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Rain Could Let India and Pakistan Share Asian Games Gold
India and Pakistan may play each other in the 2026 Asian Games cricket final.
They are on different sides of the tournament bracket.
This means they can meet only if both teams win their semi-final matches.
Their quarter-final matches were stopped because rain made play impossible.
The final is scheduled for October 3.
If rain prevents the final from being completed, a special rule would apply.
Unlike the 2023 rules, the updated rule says both teams would share the gold medals.
So India and Pakistan could both become champions without completing the final.
India and Pakistan could meet in the 2026 Asian Games cricket final on October 3.
Both teams reached the semi-finals after their quarter-final matches were abandoned because of rain.
The teams are on opposite sides of the knockout bracket and must each win a semi-final.
Under updated regulations, a final washed out before completion would give both teams gold medals.
In the 2023 Hangzhou Games, India received gold after its final against Afghanistan was washed out because India had the higher seeding.
- Who
- India and Pakistan, along with Afghanistan and Hong Kong in the earlier quarter-final matches.
- What
- India and Pakistan advanced to the cricket semi-finals, creating the possibility of a final in which both could share gold.
- When
- The potential final is scheduled for October 3, 2026; the quarter-final matches were abandoned after rain.
- Where
- The cricket competition will be held at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- Why
- Tournament regulations say both finalists would share gold if heavy rain prevents the final from being completed.
- Potential final
- India vs Pakistan
- Final date
- October 3, 2026
- Tournament
- 2026 Asian Games cricket competition
- Semi-final qualification
- Both teams advanced after rain-affected quarter-finals
- Updated medal rule
- A final washed out before completion would result in shared gold medals
- Previous precedent
- India received gold at Hangzhou 2023 after its final against Afghanistan was washed out
- Quarter-final opponents
- India played Afghanistan; Pakistan played Hong Kong