India, Pakistan other cricket boards express concerns over pitch, tiny hotel rooms at Asian Games: Report

Three weeks ahead of the Asian Games 2026 cricket action, Nisshin, a city east of Japan's port hub Nagoya does not seem to be ready to host international cricket stars. As per a report by the Indian Express, India, Pakistan's cricket boards are unhappy over the pitch at Korogi Athletic park which was a baseball ground a few months ago. Also, the lack of proper dressing rooms and hotel rooms being tiny are among other concerns raised so far.

As per the report, the concerns were first flagged during an Asian Council (ACC) meeting earlier this month by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Ahead of the Asian Games, all the major boards have expressed concerns and ACC is set to send their representatives to inspect the venue and accommodation for players.

ALSO READ: Kieron Pollard reclaims T20 world record for most runs, surpasses Jos Buttler with 5 sixes in 65-run knock

“It is a very rudimentary ground, and there remains a question mark over the quality of the pitch. It has been laid very recently and, apart from one tournament, that too in May, hasn’t been tested much. There are no proper dressing rooms as well,” a source told The Indian Express.

ALSO READ: Ravindra Jadeja's shocking no-ball crisis, 88 oversteps since 2021 and counting in Tests

Pitch, hotel room size become an issue

The matches will be played at Korogi Athletic Park which issued to be a baseball ground. So far, only few games have been placed at the venue. It hosted the ICC Men's T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in May 2026. The pitch was described as bouncy. It is yet to be seen how the pitch behave when world class bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah bowl on it.

Not just the ground, accommodations are a real issue too. Two players are supposed to share a room but the room sizes are not ideal. If a player decides to open his/her kitbag, there won't be enough room for the other player to stand.

In addition to the ACC, BCCI has approached the Indian Olympic Association and the Asian Games' organising committee.

“Since we do not have any role in the technical aspects of a sport, we have advised the BCCI to consult the Organising Committee,” the IOA official said.

The Asian Games organisers are yet to make a comment on the matter.

2 games vs clubs to prepare for Asian Games

Shreyas Iyer-led India men's team will begin their campaign on September 28. In order to acclimatise to the conditions, they will play a couple of games against club sides. Then, they will take on Japan in another practice game. Their first game in the tournament is a quarterfinal. 

The Harmanpreet Kaur-led India women's team's campaign will start a lot earlier. Both teams are expected to travel to Nagoya, Japan on September 14 or 15.