The India-Pakistan rivalry is back, and this time an Asian Games gold medal is at stake.
Just days after the ICC announced the schedule for next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa, the neighbours will meet at Korogi Park on Saturday morning in the first men’s cricket clash between the two sides at the Asian Games.
The tournament has been heavily affected by rain, with several matches washed out or reduced. But the final comes with its own intensity. The prospect of a gold medal, combined with the India-Pakistan rivalry, leaves little need for additional motivation.
India have fielded a strong T20 squad in Japan, with Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar among the prominent names. Pakistan have opted for a younger group, led by Sahibzada Farhan and featuring Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad and Arafat Minhas.
RIVALRY WITH A FAMILIAR BACKDROP
The India-Pakistan rivalry has gained added significance in recent years, with the two teams also avoiding handshakes in volleyball, table tennis and hockey. The cricket sides have not exchanged handshakes since last year’s Asia Cup.
Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi will not be present for the final. The ACC said Naqvi would miss Finals Day because of prior commitments and had sent his best wishes to the four teams competing for gold and bronze.
Naqvi is also Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister. His absence means the controversy surrounding last year’s Asia Cup trophy presentation will not be part of Saturday’s proceedings.
On the cricket field, India have had a more straightforward route to the final. They dismissed Sri Lanka for only 45 in the semi-final. Pakistan faced a more difficult chase against Bangladesh, repeatedly losing wickets before Abdul Samad’s 30 off 15 balls carried them over the line.
India have won their last six T20Is against Pakistan and lead the overall head-to-head 14-3. Pakistan’s last T20I victory came in 2022. Their most recent meeting was at this year’s T20 World Cup in Colombo, where Ishan Kishan’s 77 helped India win.
Pakistan’s last ODI victory over India came in the 2017 Champions Trophy.
KOROGI PARK PITCH COULD BE A FACTOR
The Korogi Park pitch has provided a stern test for batters during the tournament. Moisture, uneven bounce and turn have made stroke-making difficult, while the semi-finals again highlighted the importance of adapting to the conditions.
India have plenty of spin options. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Ravi Bishnoi are likely to carry much of the workload, while Abhishek Sharma can provide an additional option. Bumrah remains India’s principal pace threat.
Pakistan are also expected to attack with spin, led by Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim. Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas can also contribute with the ball.
With both teams possessing several spin options, the middle overs could be particularly important.
The weather outlook is much better than it has been for much of the tournament, with only a low probability of rain forecast and temperatures expected to stay in the mid-teens to high 20s Celsius.
FARHAN, SOORYAVANSHI AMONG PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sahibzada Farhan will be Pakistan’s main batting focus. He scored 57, 58 and 40 against India in three matches at last year’s T20 Asia Cup, despite Pakistan losing each game.
Farhan averages 38.75 in four T20I innings against India and has hit nine sixes against them, the most by a Pakistan batter in the format. He also has previous experience of taking on Bumrah and will face the Indian quick again in the final.
For India, Sanju Samson will be looking to make a bigger impact after scoring seven in the semi-final against Sri Lanka. His T20I strike rate against Pakistan is below 100, although that figure comes from only two innings.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is another major talking point after being included in India’s semi-final XI. Abhishek Sharma is expected to open with him, while Iyer, Kishan and Tilak Varma bring experience to the middle order. Shivam Dube adds another power-hitting option.
Pakistan will need greater contributions from Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad after their middle order struggled against Bangladesh.
SPIN COULD DECIDE THE FINAL
Pakistan are expected to retain their four-spinner combination, while India have three established spin options in Axar, Washington and Bishnoi, with Abhishek available as another choice.
The surface could determine how aggressively the batters approach the middle overs. A team that handles the spin better could gain a significant advantage, while a cluster of wickets could quickly change the contest.
TEAM NEWS
India used Bumrah as their only frontline seamer in the semi-final after leaving Arshdeep Singh out. Arshdeep has yet to bowl in the tournament.
India could bring him back for the final or retain the extra-spin combination that helped them beat Sri Lanka.
Pakistan are expected to continue with four specialist spin options.
India predicted XI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer (capt), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah.
Pakistan predicted XI: Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan (wk), Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Wasim, Sufyan Moqim, Abrar Ahmed.
WHAT IF RAIN INTERRUPTS THE FINAL?
Unlike the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where India received the gold medal after their final against Afghanistan was washed out, Aichi-Nagoya has a different procedure.
If the India-Pakistan final is abandoned because of rain, a Super Over will decide the gold medal. If the Super Over also cannot be completed, India and Pakistan will share the gold medal.
WHERE TO WATCH INDIA VS PAKISTAN
The Asian Games men’s cricket final between India and Pakistan will be streamed live on Sony LIV in India. Television coverage will be available on Sony Sports 1, while Sony Sports 3 will carry Hindi commentary and Sony Sports 4 will provide Tamil, Telugu and Kannada coverage.
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