IND vs PAK Asian Games 2026: 3 bowlers to watch in gold medal match

India and Pakistan meet in the Men's Asian Games 2026 cricket gold medal match on October 3, 2026, at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan, with play beginning at 10:00 AM IST. Shreyas Iyer leads India while Sahibzada Farhan captains Pakistan.

This is the first time the two sides have faced each other in an Asian Games final. India enter as defending champions, having won the men's gold at Hangzhou 2023, while Pakistan are chasing their first men's Asian Games cricket gold.

3. Sufyan Moqim (Pakistan)

Sufyan Moqim is a left-arm wrist spinner who has played 20 T20Is for Pakistan, claiming 30 wickets at an average of 14.13, with a best of 5/3. He made his T20I debut on October 3, 2023, against Hong Kong in this very competition.

In the semi-final against Bangladesh, Moqim took three wickets while conceding 26 runs across three overs as Pakistan restricted Bangladesh to 111/7 in a rain-curtailed 13-over match. He is expected to be one of Pakistan's key spin options alongside Abrar Ahmed and Arafat Minhas in the final. The Indian batters have not faced him, and the unknown factor could work in the 24-year-old's favour.

2. Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Jasprit Bumrah was among the standout performers in India's semi-final against Sri Lanka, taking two wickets in his opening over and finishing with figures of 2/7 across two overs. India bowled Sri Lanka out for just 45 in 9.5 overs.

Bumrah will lead India's pace attack in the final. One notable head-to-head stat is that Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan has scored 51 T20I runs off 34 balls against Bumrah without being dismissed, which adds an interesting dimension to their contest. Pakistan's first target should be to see out the talismanic pacer's opening spell.

1. Axar Patel (India)

Axar Patel is an experienced left-arm spinner who took 2/8 across three overs, including one maiden, against Sri Lanka in the semi-final. He also contributed with the ball during the one-off match against Japan, which preceded the Asian Games.

Also Read: Men's Asian Games 2026: Gold Medal Match, IND vs PAK Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between India vs Pakistan?

Axar will be a key spin option for India in the gold medal match. Don't be surprised if Shreyas Iyer hands him the new ball inside the powerplay. There has been a lot of turn on offer at the Korogi Sports Park, and Axar can make the most of it on Saturday.