The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to send full-strength squads for both the men’s and women’s cricket tournaments at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, signaling a significant shift in policy regarding participation in multi-sport events. The decision, confirmed on February 21, 2026, paves the way for a potential India-Pakistan clash in the T20 format competition scheduled for September and October.
This marks a departure from previous approaches where India often sent lower-priority teams to the Asian Games. The BCCI’s move comes after cricket’s re-inclusion in the Games, having last featured in the program at the 2014 Incheon edition before a return at Hangzhou 2023 with full International Cricket Council (ICC) recognition. The 2026 tournament will be played in the T20 format, mirroring the structure of the 2023 Games.
India will be aiming to defend its gold medals, having secured victories in both the men’s and women’s categories at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Pakistan’s women’s team also boasts a strong track record in the competition, having won gold in 2010 and 2014. The prospect of a renewed rivalry between the two nations is anticipated to draw substantial viewership and attention to the event.
The men’s cricket tournament is slated to begin on September 24, with ten teams competing for medals. The women’s preliminary games are scheduled to start on September 17, with eight teams vying for a place on the podium. According to the tournament structure used in Hangzhou, the top four seeded teams are expected to advance directly to the quarterfinals, whereas the remaining teams will participate in preliminary matches to determine the remaining quarterfinalists.
Matches will be held at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, is scheduled to begin on February 7, with Pakistan and the Netherlands opening the tournament in Colombo.
