Cricket rivals India and Pakistan are set to meet in the Asian Games gold medal match on Saturday in Japan. Both teams secured their places in the final after winning their respective semi-final matches on Thursday.
Pakistan advanced by defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a match that was reduced to 13 overs per innings due to a wet outfield. India then achieved a 124-run victory against Sri Lanka, whose batting line-up saw four players dismissed for ducks.
The upcoming final will take place against a backdrop of ongoing political tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Recent matches between India and Pakistan have reportedly seen traditional customs, such as handshakes, abandoned by players.
Indian teams have previously declined to shake hands with Pakistani players and refused to accept silverware from Pakistani administrators. This includes instances during the Asia Cup, where the Indian men's team reportedly refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi and abstained from handshakes in three fixtures, including the final. India's women's team also reportedly declined handshakes and the trophy from Naqvi after winning the women's Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.