Cricket will once again grace the Asian Games in 2026 confirmed by the Olympic Council of Asia OCA. This move reinstates crickets presence at the prestigious event following its absence in 2018. Initially introduced in 2010 cricket was included in the 2022 edition and is now poised to make its mark ahead of its Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028. The OCAs decision places cricket over open water swimming for the Games. Japan Prepares to Host Japan specifically the Aichi Prefecture with Nagoya at the centre will host the 2026 Asian Games. While excitement builds uncertainty looms over the cricket venue. The region offers limited cricket facilities with only six grounds throughout Japan. The Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture emerges as the sole site meeting international standards. Past Performances In the 2022 Asian Games delayed to 2023 due to the global pandemic 14 nations competed in the mens cricket event. Teams like Nepal Mongolia Cambodia Japan Malaysia Singapore Maldives Hong Kong and Thailand entered at the group stage with Nepal Hong Kong and Malaysia reaching the quarter-finals. Meanwhile India Pakistan Afghanistan Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were pre-seeded leading to Indias eventual triumph. Must ReadIPL 2025 When Vaibhav Suryavanshi met legends like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli Equally compelling the womens event saw eight teams with Indonesia Mongolia Malaysia and Hong Kong participating. Mongolia faced early exit but India Pakistan Thailand Bangladesh and Sri Lanka advanced from the onset to the last 8 culminating in India seizing gold reflecting their male compatriots success.