India-Pakistan cricket fever takes over Japan in Asian Games final

Summary

• The fierce cricket rivalry between Pakistan and India reached an unusual setting on Saturday as the two neighbours faced each other in the men’s final of the 2026 Asian Games at a converted baseball field in Japan.
• For many spectators, the final was a rare opportunity to watch Pakistan and India play live in Japan.
• While cricket remains a niche sport in Japan, the Pakistan-India final attracted a crowd overwhelmingly backing India, with only a handful of Pakistan flags and shirts visible among the spectators.

AI Generated Summary

The fierce cricket rivalry between Pakistan and India reached an unusual setting on Saturday as the two neighbours faced each other in the men’s final of the 2026 Asian Games at a converted baseball field in Japan.

The high-profile clash at Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, near Nagoya, brought together Indian and Pakistani cricket fans living across Japan, transforming the modest 2,500-capacity venue into the centre of a passionate sporting spectacle.

For many spectators, the final was a rare opportunity to watch Pakistan and India play live in Japan. The two sides rarely meet outside major international tournaments because of long-standing political tensions, making their Asian Games encounter particularly significant for fans in the country.

Supporters began arriving hours before the match, with many carrying national flags and wearing team shirts. The temporary stands quickly filled as excitement built ahead of the gold-medal contest.