The Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 will bring T20 cricket to Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with ten Asian teams competing from September 24 to October 3, 2026. India enter as the defending men’s champions after taking gold at Hangzhou 2023.
For cricket followers using Playinmatch cricket to follow fixtures and match information, this guide brings together the tournament format, complete schedule, participating teams and a section for match results as the competition progresses.
Update: September 23, 2026: The men’s tournament has not started yet, so there are no official men’s match results to report at the time of writing. The opening matches are scheduled for September 24.
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Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 Overview
| Tournament Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 |
| Format | T20 |
| Host | Aichi-Nagoya, Japan |
| Men’s Competition | September 24 – October 3, 2026 |
| Teams | 10 |
| Group A | Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal |
| Group B | Hong Kong, China; Malaysia; Oman |
| Seeded Teams | India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka |
| Knockout Stage | Quarter-finals, semi-finals and medal matches |
| Defending Champion | India |
The official Asian Games schedule places Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal in Group A, with Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Oman in Group B. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are seeded directly into the knockout stage. The top two teams from each preliminary group join those four seeded sides in the quarter-finals.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 Schedule
The men’s cricket action begins on September 24, with Afghanistan facing hosts Japan in the first scheduled match. Hong Kong, China and Malaysia meet later the same day.
Here is the official fixture structure:
| Date | Stage | Match | Start Time (Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 24 | Group A | Afghanistan vs Japan | 9:00 AM |
| Sep 24 | Group B | Hong Kong, China vs Malaysia | 2:00 PM |
| Sep 25 | Group B | Hong Kong, China vs Oman | 9:00 AM |
| Sep 25 | Group A | Afghanistan vs Nepal | 2:00 PM |
| Sep 26 | Group A | Japan vs Nepal | 9:00 AM |
| Sep 26 | Group B | Malaysia vs Oman | 2:00 PM |
| Sep 28 | Quarter-final | Pakistan vs Group B runner-up | 9:00 AM |
| Sep 28 | Quarter-final | India vs Group A runner-up | 1:30 PM |
| Sep 29 | Quarter-final | Sri Lanka vs Group A winner | 9:00 AM |
| Sep 29 | Quarter-final | Bangladesh vs Group B winner | 1:30 PM |
| Oct 1 | Semi-final | Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4 | 9:00 AM |
| Oct 1 | Semi-final | Winner QF2 vs Winner QF3 | 1:30 PM |
| Oct 3 | Bronze Medal Match | Semi-final losers | 9:00 AM |
| Oct 3 | Gold Medal Final | Semi-final winners | 1:30 PM |
These are the official local start times published by the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 organising committee; the schedule remains subject to change.
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Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 Match Results
As of September 23, 2026, the men’s competition is yet to begin. That means there are currently no completed men’s matches or official results.
This section can be updated after every match:
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 24 | Afghanistan vs Japan | Upcoming |
| Sep 24 | Hong Kong, China vs Malaysia | Upcoming |
| Sep 25 | Hong Kong, China vs Oman | Upcoming |
| Sep 25 | Afghanistan vs Nepal | Upcoming |
| Sep 26 | Japan vs Nepal | Upcoming |
| Sep 26 | Malaysia vs Oman | Upcoming |
| Sep 28 | Quarter-final 1 | Upcoming |
| Sep 28 | Quarter-final 2 | Upcoming |
| Sep 29 | Quarter-final 3 | Upcoming |
| Sep 29 | Quarter-final 4 | Upcoming |
| Oct 1 | Semi-final 1 | Upcoming |
| Oct 1 | Semi-final 2 | Upcoming |
| Oct 3 | Bronze Medal Match | Upcoming |
| Oct 3 | Final | Upcoming |
The official competition structure and dates are confirmed, but knockout opponents beyond the seeded teams depend on group-stage results.
India at the Asian Games 2026
India will not need to contest the preliminary group stage. As one of the four seeded teams, India will advance directly to the quarter-finals.
Their first Asian Games men’s cricket match is scheduled for September 28 at 1:30 PM Japan time, against the team finishing second in Group A.
Group A contains Afghanistan, Japan and Nepal, making the preliminary matches particularly important for determining India’s first knockout opponent.
India are also the defending men’s champions, having won the previous Asian Games cricket competition.
Sri Lanka Start Directly in the Quarter-Finals
Sri Lanka are another seeded side and will enter the competition at the quarter-final stage.
Their match is scheduled for September 29 at 9:00 AM Japan time, when they will face the winner of Group A.
Sri Lanka’s squad includes a mixture of experienced players and emerging domestic performers, with Sahan Arachchige named captain.
Pakistan and Bangladesh Also Receive Direct Entry
Pakistan and Bangladesh complete the four seeded teams.
Pakistan will play the Group B runner-up on September 28, while Bangladesh will face the winner of Group B on September 29.
This format makes every preliminary fixture significant. Group-stage teams are not simply trying to qualify—they are also competing for their eventual quarter-final match-up.
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Following Asian Games Cricket on Playinmatch
Users interested in Playinmatch cricket can follow the Asian Games schedule alongside other cricket fixtures and match information available through the platform.
Before using any account-related feature, users should make sure they are accessing the intended Playinmatch website and understand the applicable rules in their location.
Existing users can use their Playinmatch login credentials to access their account. New users looking for Playinmatch signup or Playinmatch Register information should review the registration requirements before creating a Playinmatch ID.
Keep account passwords and OTPs private and never provide login credentials to unknown third parties.
Matches to Watch in the Group Stage
Afghanistan vs Japan opens the men’s competition on September 24. As the host nation, Japan will have an opportunity to compete against an established Asian cricket side.
Afghanistan vs Nepal on September 25 is another notable Group A fixture, particularly because the eventual group standings determine which teams encounter India and Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals.
Group B should also be competitive, with Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Oman battling for two knockout positions.
Asian Games Cricket Knockout Format Explained
The format is relatively straightforward.
Six teams begin in the preliminary stage across two groups. The top two from Group A and the top two from Group B advance.
Those four qualifiers then join India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, creating an eight-team quarter-final field.
The quarter-final winners advance to the two semi-finals on October 1. The losing semi-finalists contest the bronze medal match on October 3, followed later that day by the gold medal final.
There is very little room for error once the knockout phase starts—a single defeat ends a team’s gold-medal campaign.
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Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 Final
The tournament concludes on October 3, 2026.
The bronze medal match is scheduled for 9:00 AM Japan time, followed by the men’s cricket final at 1:30 PM.
By that stage, the competition will have moved from six preliminary matches through four quarter-finals and two semi-finals to determine the two teams competing for Asian Games gold.
FAQs on Asian Games
1. When does Asian Games Men’s Cricket 2026 start?
The men’s cricket competition begins on September 24, 2026, with Afghanistan scheduled to play Japan.
2. When is the Asian Games men’s cricket final?
The gold medal match is scheduled for October 3, 2026 at 1:30 PM Japan time.
3. How many teams are playing men’s cricket?
Ten teams are included in the men’s competition: Afghanistan, Japan, Nepal, Hong Kong China, Malaysia, Oman, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
4. When does India play its first match?
India’s quarter-final is scheduled for September 28, against the runner-up from Group A.
5. Are Asian Games men’s cricket results available yet?
Not yet. As of September 23, the men’s competition has not begun. The first results will come after the opening matches scheduled for September 24.
Final Word on Asian Games Cricket
The Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition 2026 combines emerging Asian cricket nations with four seeded teams—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka—waiting in the knockout stage. From Afghanistan vs Japan on September 24 to the gold-medal match on October 3, the compact T20 format should make every fixture important.
For Playinmatch cricket readers, this page can serve as a schedule and results guide throughout the competition. Users looking for Playinmatch signup or a Playinmatch ID should keep those account activities separate from match information and always verify current platform terms before registering or participating. Play Now in Playinmatch
