India-Pakistan Asian Games final: Cricketers eye gold, but tricky pitch could level the field

NAGOYA: The 2,500-capacity Korogi Sports Centre is expected to be packed on Saturday, with spectators from across Japan and beyond snapping up tickets well in advance. The India-Pakistan cricket match tends to create its own atmosphere and the Asian Games final should be no different.Striking contrast to their edge-of-the-seat meeting in the men’s hockey semifinals on Friday, when one empty seat would have been entirely at a premium although, to be fair, that venue was tucked away in the middle of nowhere.On the cricket field, the equation is far less evenly poised. India will begin as overwhelming favourites in a contest they lead 14-3 in head-to-head meetings and enter with a six-match winning streak. With the defending champions boasting greater firepower and the challenge for the latter is formidable.India brushed aside Sri Lanka in their last-four contest, winning by 124 runs. Pakistan, meanwhile, were pushed deep by Bangladesh before Abdul Samad pulled them out of trouble. Hasan Nawaz’s 27 and Salman Ali Agha’s 30 eventually took Pakistan across the line with three balls to spare.The pitch here, worryingly, could be the great leveller. The two semifinals were played on an uneven surface that offered variable bounce and plenty of turn. Apart from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ishan Kishan, batters from both sides struggled to find their rhythm. That makes Pakistan’s young spin duo of Arafat Minhas and Sufyan Moqim particularly interesting. How they cope with India’s formidable batting line-up could have a major bearing on the final.India has greater pedigree and deeper resources. Pakistan, though, has shown decent conditions that can narrow the gap. Unlike the recent ACC events, in which India returned without collecting the winners’ trophy from the Asian Cricket Association chief, Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister, the medals will be theirs to take, as he has decided to skip the event.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.