Asian Games 2026 Final: India and Pakistan clash possible, depends on match results

The quarterfinals of the men's cricket tournament at the Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya have been fully determined. After the match in Group A was cancelled due to rain on September 26 (Saturday), Nepal and Afghanistan advanced to the next round, while the host country Japan was eliminated from the tournament.

Malaysia and Hong Kong advanced to the next stage from Group B. In the last match of Group A, Nepal and Japan faced each other. This match took place at Korogi Sports Park in Nishin city. Nepal, having lost the toss, started with bat, scoring a strong total of 149/4 in 15 overs. Sandeep Jora and Lokesh Bam helped the team reach a good position, but then it started raining. Due to the continuous rain, Japan's innings did not begin, and the match ended without a winner.

This result brought direct benefits to Nepal and Afghanistan. Earlier, Nepal achieved a major surprise in Group A by defeating Afghanistan. For Japan, this match was the last chance to remain in the tournament, but the rain dashed its hopes.

In Group B, the match between Malaysia and Oman was also cancelled due to rain, and no balls were bowled. As a result of this match, Malaysia and Hong Kong qualified for the quarterfinals, and Oman's campaign ended.

Following the completion of the preliminary round matches, the full quarterfinal schedule was announced. India will face Afghanistan on September 28 (Monday) at 10:00 AM. On the same day, at 5:30 AM Indian time, Pakistan and Hong Kong will meet. The third quarterfinal match will feature Sri Lanka against Nepal, and in the fourth quarterfinal, Malaysia will play against Bangladesh. Both of these matches will take place on September 29 (Tuesday).

Indian squash players demonstrated outstanding results at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, qualifying for the semi-finals. Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh won their semi-final matches, guaranteeing India at least a silver medal.

Abhay Singh, who holds a gold medal from the Asian Championships, defeated Mohammed Irfan of Pakistan in the men's singles category. He won with a score of 3-0 in sets. Abhay maintained control of the match from the beginning, winning the first set 11-3. In the second set, Irfan from Pakistan created serious competition, but Abhay remained calm and won the set 12-10, increasing his lead to 2-0.

In the third set, the Indian athlete once again asserted his dominance, winning 11-6 and securing his place in the final.

Meanwhile, in the women's singles category, Anahat Singh played a tense match against Satomi Watanabe of Japan, winning 3-2. Anahat initially lost the first set 9-11, and in the second set, she trailed 11-13. However, after this, the Indian athlete made an impressive comeback, winning the third set 12-10.

Subsequently, Anahat Singh leveled the score at 2-2, winning the fourth set 11-6. In the decisive fifth set, she gave Satomi Watanabe no chance and won the set 11-3, advancing to the final. This victory made Anahat Singh the first Indian woman to reach the final of the women's singles squash event at the Asian Games. Abhay Singh's victory also sustains hopes of winning gold in the men's singles category.

Now both Indian athletes will advance to the final, where they will have a chance to win a gold medal for India at the Asian Games. Winning gold qualifies both players for the Los Angeles Olympics.

In the Asian Games 2026, the women's teams of Pakistan and Thailand met in the quarterfinals. On September 17 (Thursday) at the Coreogi Sports Park stadium in Nishin, the Pakistani team defeated Thailand with a score of 3 points.

Due to the wet field, the game was extended to 11-11 overs. The Pakistani team needed to score 92 points to win, which they achieved in 10.4 overs, leaving 2 balls. Despite facing difficulties due to consecutive player losses, the Pakistani team managed to cross the finish line.

Now, in the semi-finals, Pakistan will play against the winner of the third quarterfinal, which will take place on September 18 between Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

In the attack for Pakistan, the most productive players were opening batsman Shawal Zulfiqar, who scored 25 points, including three fours and one six. Captain Fatima Sana made a significant contribution, earning 21 points from 13 balls with the help of three fours and one six. Gul Firoza (16 points) and Tuba Hasan (13 points) also played useful innings.

On the Thai side, Onnicha Kamchomphu scored the most points, taking three wickets. Additionally, Sunida Chaturongratthana secured two wickets, while Phannita Maiya and Suliporn Laomi each took one wicket.

Thailand, having lost the toss and starting first, scored 91 points, losing four wickets in 11 overs. Nannapat Koncharoenkai, batting and bowling, stood out with a performance of 49 points from 38 balls, including seven fours. Phannita Maiya added 15 points, and captain Narumpol Chaiwai contributed 10 points.

In response, Pakistani captain Fatima Sana took 2 wickets, and Nashra Sandu took one wicket.

Team Lineups

The Pakistan squad included: Shawal Zulfiqar, Gul Firoza (bowler), Aisha Jafar, Fatima Sana (captain), Eman Fatima, Alia Riaz, Tuba Hasan, Nashra Sandu, Umm e Haani, Tasmia Rubab, and Iman Nasir.

The Thailand squad consisted of: Nattakan Chamtham, Phannita Maiya, Nannapat Koncharoenkai (bowler), Nannapat Chaihan, Narumpol Chaiwai (captain), Afisara Suwanchonarati, Chanida Sutiruang, Suliporn Laomi, Sunida Chaturongratthana, Onnicha Kamchomphu, and Tipacha Puttawong.