India to face Afghanistan in Asian Games 2026 cricket quarter-finals

India will take on Afghanistan in the quarter-final round of the Asian Games 2026 cricket competition, according to the tournament bracket finalized after the conclusion of group stage play.

The pairing represents a rematch of recent bilateral cricket, with the Indian team having swept a T20 series against Afghanistan 3-0 in their most recent encounter. The two sides have established themselves as competitive forces in regional cricket, with their meetings often generating considerable interest across South Asia.

Afghanistan secured its quarter-final berth despite suffering a defeat to Nepal during the group stage. However, the withdrawal of a scheduled Japan-Nepal match worked in Afghanistan's favor, allowing the team to advance to the knockout round.

Japan's participation in the quarter-finals remains uncertain following the washout of its match against Nepal. The precise implications of the abandoned fixture for Japan's tournament progression are still being clarified by the Asian Games organizing committee.

The quarter-final stage is set to determine which teams will advance to the semi-finals, with India entering as favorites given their recent dominance over the Afghan cricket team.