Asian Games 2026: Cricket included in the mega event

Cricket will once again grace the Asian Games in 2026, confirmed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). This move reinstates cricket's presence at the prestigious event, following its absence in 2018. 

Initially introduced in 2010, cricket was included in the 2022 edition and is now poised to make its mark ahead of its Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028. The OCA's decision places cricket over open water swimming for the Games.

Japan Prepares to Host

Japan, specifically the Aichi Prefecture with Nagoya at the centre, will host the 2026 Asian Games. While excitement builds, uncertainty looms over the cricket venue. The region offers limited cricket facilities, with only six grounds throughout Japan. The Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture emerges as the sole site meeting international standards.

Past Performances

In the 2022 Asian Games, delayed to 2023 due to the global pandemic, 14 nations competed in the men's cricket event. Teams like Nepal, Mongolia, Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Maldives, Hong Kong, and Thailand entered at the group stage, with Nepal, Hong Kong, and Malaysia reaching the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh were pre-seeded, leading to India's eventual triumph.

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Equally compelling, the women's event saw eight teams, with Indonesia, Mongolia, Malaysia, and Hong Kong participating. Mongolia faced early exit, but India, Pakistan, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka advanced from the onset to the last 8, culminating in India seizing gold, reflecting their male compatriots' success.