Asian Games Men's Qualifier 2026/27

The Asian Games Men's Cricket competition is a T20I tournament organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) in collaboration with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Cricket was first included in the Asian Games in 2010, with previous editions held in 2014 and 2023. The 2026 edition, hosted in Aichi-Nagoya, features ten teams. Five Full Members receive byes to the quarter-finals, while the host nation Japan and four teams qualified via the ACC Men's T20I Qualifier 2026 complete the field.

The qualifier was held in Singapore from May 31 to June 9, 2026, featuring six Associate members. The format consisted of two groups of three, with the top two from each group advancing. Nepal won the qualifier tournament by defeating Hong Kong in the final by 19 runs using the DLS method. Malaysia and Oman also qualified alongside Nepal. These four nations joined the Full Members and Japan in the main tournament.

The men's Asian Games format uses a group stage for the non-seeded teams followed by knockout rounds. This structure is distinct from the women's format, which is a straight knockout. Bangladesh won the gold medal in 2010, Sri Lanka in 2014, and India in 2023. Pakistan holds the record for most women's gold medals with two. The ACC Men's Premier Cup is a separate ODI and T20I tournament for associates, primarily for Asia Cup qualification, and is not the same as the Asian Games Qualifier.

The competition serves as a crucial platform for Associate nations to compete against established cricketing powers. The inclusion of cricket in the Asian Games highlights its growing prominence in the region. The qualification process ensures that the most competitive teams advance to the main event. The group stage allows for multiple matches for each team, providing opportunities for strategic development. The knockout rounds deliver high-stakes encounters for the remaining participants.