Governing bodies including the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Pakistan Cricket Board voiced their disapproval regarding the conditions at the Korogi Athletic Park located in Nisshin, a city situated east of Japan’s port hub Nagoya. Based on a report from The Indian Express, the complaints center around the quality of the pitch, the absence of proper dressing rooms, and hotel rooms that are far too small to accommodate athletes comfortably. Major concerns regarding makeshift playing facilities and cramped living quarters have surfaced just over two weeks prior to the commencement of the Asian Games 2026 in Japan.
In response, the Asian Cricket Council intends to dispatch delegates to inspect both the venue and the residential arrangements provided for the competitors. Shedding light on the situation, an insider stated to The Indian Express, “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. Pitch Quality And Accommodation Challenges The designated matches are scheduled to take place at Korogi Athletic Park, a venue that formerly operated as a baseball facility and has hosted only a limited number of fixtures.
Specifically, the location staged the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup East Asia-Pacific Qualifier in May 2026, featuring a surface noted for its bounce, though questions remain regarding how the strip will react when elite bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah operate on it.
Initial grievances were brought forward during an Asian Cricket Council meeting earlier in the month by the Pakistan Cricket Board, prompting various major boards to express unease.
September 28, 2026: Pakistan versus Group B second placed team, Quarter final, Korogi Athletic Park September 28, 2026: India versus Group A second placed team, Quarter final, Korogi Athletic Park
Beyond the sporting arena, player lodging presents a significant obstacle. Rooms are assigned for double occupancy, yet the physical dimensions are inadequate for two individuals to share simultaneously. If one athlete opens a kitbag, insufficient floor space remains for the roommate to even stand upright. Faced with these lodging and technical shortcomings, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has reached out to both the Indian Olympic Association and the official organising committee of the Asian Games. Addressing the diplomatic channels, an Indian Olympic Association official remarked, “Since we do not have any role in the technical aspects of a sport, we have advised the BCCI to consult the Organising Committee. Organisers for the Asian Games have not yet issued a public statement addressing the complaints.
Preparation Plans For National Squads To adapt to the local environment, the men’s squad led by captain Shreyas Iyer and scheduled to begin competition on September 28 will participate in a pair of matches against local club sides alongside a practice fixture against Japan prior to their quarterfinal opener. Both national delegations are scheduled to depart for Nagoya, Japan, on either September 14 or September 15.
Meanwhile, the women’s team captained by Harmanpreet Kaur will launch their tournament schedule earlier.
