Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026: Japan Cricket chief breaks silence on cricket venue

His comments came amid growing questions over the pitch and the temporary nature of the dressing rooms and other facilities at the venue.

“All parties are working hard to ensure the success of cricket in the Asian Games. They only had 17 months to prepare and had to start from scratch as there were no cricket venues of any standard in Aichi Prefecture,” Miyaji said in a statement to Cricbuzz.

“Considering the limited time and resources available, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC) and Asian Cricket Council (ACC) have worked together to ensure that the playing facilities are suitable,” he added.

Miyaji said the organisers faced several constraints but had managed to prepare a high-quality playing surface.

“There are limits on what they can do within these tight limits, but from what I have seen, the playing surface and field will be the best seen in cricket's inclusion in the Asian Games,” he said.

“It will be a full-size ground with turf and hybrid pitches prepared by the best curators, which Sri Lanka Cricket should be credited for providing.”

Addressing concerns over the temporary facilities, Miyaji said both temporary and permanent structures would be available at the venue.

“There are both temporary and permanent facilities at the venue. The facilities on the ground are temporary, but AINAGOC has worked very closely with the ACC for over a year now to ensure that the best facilities are provided within the limited timeline and facility restrictions,” he said.

“Despite being temporary, the facilities will provide as comfortable a space as possible for the players and officials. Please note that toilets will be available within the player area. There are also permanent facilities around the ground which will be available to the players,” he added.

Miyaji also addressed concerns surrounding accommodation for the participating teams.

“I can also assure you that the ACC has been discussing accommodation options with AINAGOC for a long time. The participating teams in cricket are being offered hotel accommodation,” he said.

“Many other sports are being accommodated in much more limited facilities such as a cruise ship or container hotels. The teams are free to arrange their own accommodation if they choose to do so.”

Cricket at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is scheduled to be held from September 19 to October 3.

Meanwhile, India will face hosts Japan for the first time in international cricket as part of the men's T20I competition at the Asian Games.

The Japan Cricket Association and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have confirmed that the two teams will meet in a T20I on September 22 at the Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture.

Japan will compete in the group stage, while India are scheduled to enter the competition directly in the quarter-final stage.

India won the gold medal in the men's cricket competition at the previous edition of the Asian Games.

“The BCCI is delighted to be part of this historic occasion as the Indian and Japanese men’s teams come together for a special T20 International in Japan,” BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the International Cricket Council (ICC).