India vs Pakistan Asian Games cricket final: Start time, where to watch and what is at stake

India and Pakistan are scheduled to meet in the 2026 Asian Games men’s cricket gold-medal final on Saturday, October 3, at 1:30 p.m. in Japan (10 a.m. IST). The T20 match will be played at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. In India, it is due to air on Sony Sports Network and stream on SonyLIV. In the United States, Willow has listed the final for live coverage. At the latest pre-match check, no result had been recorded.

What time does India vs Pakistan start?

The scheduled start is 1:30 p.m. Japan Standard Time, equivalent to 10 a.m. in India and 9:30 a.m. in Pakistan. For viewers in the United States, that is 12:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on October 3, or 9:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on Friday, October 2. Willow’s US listing shows the final at 12:30 a.m. Eastern, matching the scheduled start.

The toss is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. IST, half an hour before play. Viewers checking a television guide should distinguish the match start from any earlier pre-match coverage. As with any outdoor cricket fixture, the actual start could change if conditions or match operations cause a delay.

Where can viewers watch?

India: Sony Sports Network is carrying the match on television, while SonyLIV has a dedicated live-stream listing for the India–Pakistan gold-medal game. Viewers should check their channel package or SonyLIV access before play begins rather than assume that a television subscription includes the stream.

United States: Willow has listed the final for live coverage. Its programming is available through participating television and streaming packages; the match also appears in a Willow subscription listing on Prime Video. Availability and subscription requirements depend on the service a viewer uses.

Pakistan: PTV Sports is listed for television coverage, with Tamasha offering an online viewing option. Broadcast access can vary by location, so viewers outside these countries should check local listings rather than assume that a stream available elsewhere will work in their region.

What is at stake?

The winner takes the Asian Games men’s cricket gold medal and the losing finalist receives silver. India are defending the title they won at Hangzhou in 2023, when rain prevented their final against Afghanistan from being completed and India received gold on the basis of their higher seeding. A win on October 3 would give India consecutive men’s cricket gold medals; a Pakistan win would deny the defending champions and give Pakistan the title.

Both finalists reached this match after rain disrupted the quarter-finals. India advanced when their game against Afghanistan was abandoned without a ball bowled, then beat Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semi-final. India made 169 for seven, led by Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 80, before dismissing Sri Lanka for 45.

Pakistan’s quarter-final against Hong Kong, China was also washed out. In their rain-reduced semi-final, Pakistan beat Bangladesh by six wickets, reaching a target of 112 in 11.3 overs. Those results set up the gold-medal match between the two unbeaten finalists. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are contesting the separate bronze-medal match, so the India–Pakistan game decides only gold and silver.

The key details for viewers remain the scheduled 10 a.m. IST start and the broadcaster for their country. The pre-match listings confirm the fixture, but they do not establish a winner: a score or medal result should not be treated as final until the match has concluded.