India and Pakistan have reportedly taken a similar stance on the infrastructure concerns surrounding the Asian Games 2026 in Japan. During a recent Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) proposed sending weaker squads, but other nations did not support the idea.
The men's and women's cricket events at the Asian Games are scheduled to take place from September 19 to October 4 in Japan. India will enter the event as defending champions in both events, while the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced full-strength squads for the event.
India, Pakistan Align Over Asian Games 2026, Bangladesh Differ
There were concerns over the cricket facilities for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan during the recent Asian Cricket Council meeting. Bangladesh Cricket Board president Tamim Iqbal reportedly suggested sending a B team because of the arrangements at the venue.
However, there was no support for the proposal from the other cricket boards at the meeting. Journalist Abhishek Tripati of Jagran News said that the BCCI is not planning to send a second-string team. India will continue with the squad it has already announced for the tournament.
Tripati also clarified that the BCCI will not make wholesale changes to its men's squad because of the venue concerns. The board has already named a full-strength 15-member squad led by Shreyas Iyer, with Tilak Varma as his deputy.
हवा साफ करने के लिए....
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) August 31, 2026
🔥 एशियन क्रिकेट काउंसिल की बैठक में जापान में होने वाले एशियन गेम्स में क्रिकेट को लेकर खराब व्यवस्था को लेकर चर्चा हुई
🔥 सिर्फ बांग्लादेश क्रिकेट संघ के अध्यक्ष तमीम इकबाल ने कहा कि ऐसी व्यवस्था में बी टीम भेजी जानी चाहिए
🔥 बीसीसीआइ या किसी अन्य… pic.twitter.com/QiY1M5s1OX
An earlier ANI report had suggested that the BCCI could consider sending a B team if the facilities in Japan were not up to the required standard. The report added that the BCCI was unhappy with the facilities at the venue.
Asian Games Rules Make Last-Minute Squad Changes Difficult
The Asian Games have different squad rules from regular bilateral cricket and tournaments such as the Asia Cup. Teams cannot simply replace their entire squad at the last minute. Players and reserve players need to complete the required accreditation process in advance.
Tripati stated that the arrangements allow already registered players to come into the squad if an approved player becomes unavailable through injury. However, this does not allow a cricket board to replace its entire squad with a B team.
India's women's team will also enter the Asian Games as defending champions. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side, with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy. India have already qualified directly for the quarter-finals. Jemimah Rodrigues was ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during The Hundred.
India won the women's gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou after beating Sri Lanka by 19 runs in the final. The men's team also won gold in Hangzhou after their final against Afghanistan was washed out. India received the gold medal because of their higher seeding.
ACC Sends Observer to Check Japan Venue
The venue arrangements have also become a major talking point ahead of the Asian Games. ACC president and Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly said that all Test-playing nations could send representatives to Japan to inspect the facilities.
According to Tripati, the ACC has already sent one representative to check the arrangements at the venue. The main concerns centre on Korogi Athletic Park, which was originally a baseball facility before it was converted for cricket earlier this year.
The ground has seating for only 300 spectators and does not have well-structured dressing rooms. Notably, the pitch is also a relatively untested hybrid surface made from natural grass and synthetic fibres.
The venue did host six matches during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifiers in May 2026, but questions remain over its readiness for the Asian Games.
