Pakistan beat Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened semi-final on Thursday, October 1, 2026, to reach the final of the Asian Games 2026 cricket tournament in Nisshin, Japan. Gulf News describes it as Pakistan’s first appearance in the men’s Asian Games cricket final. They will play for gold on Saturday, October 3, against either India or Sri Lanka.
How Pakistan won the Asian Games 2026 cricket semi-final
Rain delayed the start at Korogi Sports Park, and the match was cut to 13 overs per side, Gulf News reports. Pakistan’s own timings slipped too: Pakera says the game was due at 5:00 am PKT but began at 6:15 am PKT.
Bangladesh finished on 111 for 7. According to NewsBytes, Towhid Hridoy top-scored with 42 off 25 balls, including four sixes. Sufyan Moqim took 3 for 26 and Arafat Minhas 2 for 23.
Pakistan needed 112 and lost early wickets. NewsBytes reports Usman Khan fell in the seventh over, leaving them 53 for 4. Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad then added an unbeaten 59, and Pakistan finished on 112 for 4 in 11.3 overs, with nine balls to spare.
Gulf News adds that it was captain Sahibzada Farhan’s first win in charge of Pakistan.
Match at a glance
- Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026
- Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan
- Bangladesh: 111 for 7 (13 overs)
- Pakistan: 112 for 4 (11.3 overs)
- Result: Pakistan won by six wickets
- Final: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Rain has shaped the whole bracket
The semi-final was Pakistan’s first match of the Games. Gulf News says their quarter-final against Hong Kong was washed out without a ball bowled, and Outlook India reports that all four men’s quarter-finals suffered the same fate. The four seeded teams advanced automatically.
India’s route was similar. Indian Swan reports their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned, and Outlook India says the semi-final against Sri Lanka was their tournament opener.
That is the angle the scorelines miss. A side can reach a medal match after a single game, so seeding has carried more weight than form. Pakistan’s chase from 53 for 4 at least shows how they respond under pressure, which is more than can be said for a finalist who has not yet batted in the tournament.
Who Pakistan could meet in the final
The second semi-final, India v Sri Lanka at the same venue, was under way when this article was written. ESPNcricinfo’s live scorecard showed defending champions India batting first and posting 169 for 7. The result had not been confirmed at the time of writing, so check the official scorecard for the finalist.
Outlook India notes that India handed a debut to 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in that match. The losing semi-finalist plays the bronze-medal match, also on October 3, according to Cricket Times.
What happens next and why it matters
The gold-medal match is scheduled for October 3 at the same ground, per Aaj News. Given that rain removed four quarter-finals, weather is a real variable. None of the reports reviewed explain what happens if the final is washed out, so readers should confirm the rules with the organisers.
For Pakistan, the result lifts a team with little match time into a one-game contest for gold. For the tournament, it is a reminder that cricket’s return to the Asian Games is at the mercy of the forecast as much as the fixtures.
Asian Games 2026 cricket: quick answers
Who won Pakistan v Bangladesh at the Asian Games 2026?
Pakistan won by six wickets, chasing 112 in 11.3 overs in a rain-shortened semi-final on October 1, 2026.
When is the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final?
The gold-medal match is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the same ground in Nisshin, Japan, according to Aaj News.
Who will Pakistan play in the final?
The opponent is the winner of India v Sri Lanka, the second semi-final. Check the official scorecard for the confirmed result.
How can fans follow the final legally?
Stick to official broadcasters and licensed streams. Our guide to legal sports streaming options and the risks of unofficial sites explains what to look for.
This story is developing. As of October 1, 2026, the final opponent was unconfirmed.