Asian Games facilities leave top teams uneasy

Asian Games Cricket Facilities Under Scrutiny

The cricket venues for the Aichi‑Nagoya Asian Games 2026 are facing criticism from the continent’s leading boards over quality and readiness. The main concerns are venue standards and accommodation arrangements.

Teams Raising Issues

• India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan (the five Test‑playing nations) have voiced dissatisfaction.
• The men’s tournament features 10 teams; the women’s tournament has 8 teams.

Accommodation Options on Offer

1. City hotel + bullet‑train travel to the venue.
2. Floating hotel – a ship anchored nearby.
3. Marquee‑tent camp at the venue.

None of these options meet the expectations of top‑level players, and there is a perception that the ACC, under Pakistan’s Mohsin Naqvi, has delayed securing suitable lodging. Other continental federations have booked accommodations well in advance.

Venue Concerns

• The ground in Nisshin City is a makeshift facility lacking proper dressing rooms, similar to venues in many associate nations.
• ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta acknowledged that work is still required before the venue can host 10 men’s and 8 women’s teams, officials, and fans.
• The site is Japan’s second natural‑grass cricket ground meeting international standards and was used for an ICC pathway tournament in May.

Inspections & Responses

• An ACC representative indicated a team will inspect the facilities, though timing may be tight.
• Sources from the BCCI and the Indian Olympic Association reported plans for a BCCI operations member to visit Japan; as of early this week, the visit had not occurred.
• Attempts to get comment from Japan Cricket Association CEO Alex Miyaji have not yielded a response.

Squad Plans

• India will send full‑strength sides, led by Shreyas Iyer (men) and Harmanpreet Kaur (women).
• No official move to send “B” teams has been confirmed.
• Injury replacement: Jemimah Rodrigues out, replaced by Pratika Rawal.

Competition Schedule (T20 format)

• Start: 17 September (two days before the Games’ opening ceremony).
• Women’s final: 22 September.
• Men’s gold‑medal match: 3 October.
• The tournament runs until 3 October, with the Asian Games concluding on 4 October.

Rumoured Friendly

• There are unconfirmed reports that the Indian men’s team may play a friendly against Japan on 22 September; both the BCCI and JCA have not verified this.