With the Japan-Nepal and Malaysia-Oman game on Saturday (September 26) ending with the teams sharing points due to rain at the Karogi Sports Park, the home team as well as Oman failed to qualify, which means Afghanistan and Nepal sealed qualification from Group A while Hong Kong and Malaysia advanced from Group A into the quarter-finals, where they will join India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, who were given byes.
In Group A, Nepal topped the group after registering a shock win over Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Malaysia finished first in Group B ahead of second-placed Hong Kong.
Asian Games Men’s Cricket QF Confirmed
This means that India, who were drawn to face A2, will be the only team of the four countries to earn direct qualification into the knockouts to face a Test-playing nation in the quarter-final as they face Afghanistan in a repeat of the gold medal clash of the 2023 edition. Meanwhile, a second-string Sri Lankan team faces a stern test against Nepal. Pakistan will face off against Hong Kong while Bangladesh will go head-to-head against Malaysia.
All matches in the tournament are taking place at the Karogi Sports Park in Nissin, based in the a city in Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Asian Games 2026 Men’s Cricket Knockout Schedule Confirmed
September 28, Monday
5:30 a.m.: Cricket – Men’s Quarter-final 1 – Pakistan vs Hong Kong, China
10:00 a.m.: Cricket – Men’s Quarter-final 2 – India vs Afghanistan
September 29, Tuesday
5:30 a.m.: Cricket – Men’s Quarter-final 3 – Sri Lanka vs Nepal
10:00 a.m.: Cricket – Men’s Quarter-final 4 – Bangladesh vs Malaysia
October 1, Thursday
5:30 a.m.: Cricket – Men’s Semi-final 1 – (Pakistan/Hong Kong, China) vs (Bangladesh/Malaysia)
10:00 a.m.: Cricket – Men’s Semi-final 2 – (India/Afghanistan) vs (Sri Lanka/Nepal)
October 3, Saturday
5:30 a.m.: Cricket – Men’s Bronze Medal Match
10:00 a.m.: Cricket – Men’s Gold Medal Match (Final)