India and Pakistan Meet for Asian Games Cricket Gold on Saturday

India and Pakistan will play for the men's cricket gold medal at the Asian Games on Saturday, with the final starting at 10:30 AM IST (2:00 PM local) at Kōrogi Sports Park in Nisshin.

India reached the final in dominant fashion. After their quarter-final against Afghanistan was abandoned, they thrashed Sri Lanka by 124 runs in Thursday's semi-final, with Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 80 off 46 balls setting up 169 for 7 and Sri Lanka bowled out for 45, the lowest total in their T20I history. Abhishek Sharma took 2 for 2. The side is captained by Shreyas Iyer and coached by VVS Laxman.

Pakistan's route was shorter but no less effective. Their quarter-final against Hong Kong was also abandoned, and they then beat Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened semi-final, chasing 112 in 11.3 overs after Bangladesh made 111 for 7 in 13. Abdul Samad finished unbeaten on 30 off 15 balls, while Sufyan Moqim took 3 for 26.

Weather has shadowed the knockout stage: all four quarter-finals were abandoned without a toss. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh play for bronze earlier on Saturday, at 9:00 AM local time (5:30 AM IST).