Asian Games Cricket History and Past Winners: The Full Medal Record
Published on September 18, 2026
Summary Overview: A complete history of Asian Games cricket and every past winner, from Bangladesh's 2010 gold to India's double triumph in 2023, across the men's and women's events.
How often has cricket been at the Asian Games?
Only three times before now: Guangzhou 2010, Incheon 2014 and Hangzhou 2023. It was left out of Jakarta 2018, and Aichi-Nagoya 2026 is the fourth appearance.
Who are the defending champions?
India, who won both the men's and women's gold on their Asian Games debut in 2023.
Which country has been the most consistent?
On the men's side, Afghanistan are the nearly men, having taken silver in all three editions. In the women's game, Pakistan dominated the early years with back-to-back golds.
The Story: Cricket's Rare Turn on the Multi-Sport Stage
Cricket and the Asian Games have a short but rich shared history. Despite the sport's enormous popularity across the subcontinent, it has featured at only three of the Games so far, which makes each appearance feel special. With the fourth edition arriving in Japan, it is the perfect moment to look back at how the story has unfolded.
A quick word for newcomers: the Asian Games is a multi-sport event, like a continental version of the Olympics, so cricket teams here are competing for medals rather than a trophy. Every edition has been played in the T20 format, the sport's fast 20-overs-per-side version.
2010, Guangzhou: The Beginning
Cricket made its Asian Games debut at Guangzhou 2010 in China, with a purpose-built stadium and a nine-team men's event. Several Test nations, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, sent second-string squads (their reserve players rather than their first-choice stars), and India did not take part at all due to a packed international calendar.
It was Bangladesh who made history as the first men's champions, beating Afghanistan in the final, with Pakistan taking bronze. In the women's event, Pakistan struck gold, edging Bangladesh in the final, while Japan claimed a memorable bronze.
2014, Incheon: New Champions Crowned
Four years later in South Korea, the tournament returned with a familiar feel. In the men's competition, Sri Lanka went one better than their neighbours by winning gold, again defeating a determined Afghanistan side in the final. Bangladesh had to settle for bronze this time.
The women's event told a story of dominance. Pakistan successfully defended their title, beating Bangladesh in the final once more, with Sri Lanka taking bronze. Two editions, two Pakistan golds.
The Missing Games and the Grand Return
Cricket was then dropped from the programme at Jakarta 2018, leaving fans without their sport for nine years. When it finally returned at Hangzhou 2023, it did so with a major upgrade: for the first time, the matches were given full international status by the ICC, cricket's global governing body, meaning the results counted as official T20 internationals.
2023, Hangzhou: India Arrive and Conquer
The 2023 edition belonged to India, who competed at the Asian Games for the very first time and left with both gold medals.
The men's final against Afghanistan was washed out by rain and could not be completed, so India were crowned champions on the basis of their superior global T20 ranking. It was a bittersweet result for Afghanistan, who took silver for a third consecutive Games, while Bangladesh beat Pakistan to bronze.
In the women's final, India were more emphatic, defeating Sri Lanka to seal the title, with Bangladesh again taking bronze. A perfect debut for Indian cricket at the Games.
A Few Moments for the History Books
The 2023 edition also produced some eye-catching feats. Nepal's Kushal Malla lit up the men's tournament as its highest run-scorer, including an unbeaten 137 against Mongolia, the highest individual score in Asian Games cricket history, part of a record 193-run stand with Rohit Paudel. It was a reminder that these Games can be a stage for the continent's smaller nations to shine.
The Pakistan Puzzle: A Giant Still Chasing a Men's Final
For all their pedigree in world cricket, Pakistan's men have a surprising gap on their record: they have never once reached a final at the Asian Games. Their best result remains the bronze from the very first edition in 2010, and in 2014 they came away with no medal at all.
The 2023 campaign summed up the frustration. Pakistan cruised through their quarter-final, brushing aside Hong Kong, but then ran into Afghanistan in the semi-final and came unstuck. Bowled out for a modest total, they watched Afghanistan chase it down with 13 balls to spare, a four-wicket defeat that ended their gold medal hopes. To compound it, they then lost the bronze medal match to Bangladesh, slipping to a disappointing fourth place with nothing to show for the trip.
A big part of the story is selection. Pakistan have tended to send second-string or developmental squads to the Games, leaving out several first-choice stars because of clashes with their senior international schedule. It is a reasonable approach for a packed calendar, but it has repeatedly left them short against opponents who treat the event as a priority.
The contrast with their women's team is striking. Pakistan's women were the early queens of Asian Games cricket, reaching the final and winning gold in both 2010 and 2014. Yet even they slipped in 2023, missing the final and then losing the bronze medal match to Bangladesh to finish fourth. So across both events, Pakistan arrive at the 2026 Games with a clear point to prove and a long wait for a men's final to finally end.
Full Medal Record
Asian Games Cricket Medalists (Men's Tournament History)
| Edition | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Guangzhou 2010 | India | Bangladesh | Afghanistan |
| Incheon 2014 | Sri Lanka | Afghanistan | Bangladesh |
| Hangzhou 2023 | India | Afghanistan | Bangladesh |
Asian Games Cricket Medalists (Women's Tournament History)
| Edition | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Guangzhou 2010 | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Japan |
| Incheon 2014 | Pakistan | Bangladesh | Sri Lanka |
| Hangzhou 2023 | India | Sri Lanka | Bangladesh |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the first Asian Games cricket gold?
Bangladesh won the men's gold and Pakistan the women's gold at Guangzhou 2010.
Has India always played Asian Games cricket?
No. India skipped the 2010 and 2014 editions and made their debut in 2023, winning both golds.
Why were India crowned men's champions in 2023 without a final?
The final against Afghanistan was rained off, so India took gold based on their higher global T20 ranking.
Which women's team has won the most golds?
Pakistan, with back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2014, before India won in 2023.
Why is cricket rare at the Asian Games?
It has only featured in three of the many editions and was dropped in 2018, making each appearance a notable event.
Related Guides and Series Coverage
📋 Asian Games 2026 Men's Cricket: Schedule, Groups and Fixtures