India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final after Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma powered the team to 211 for six.
India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games, successfully defending its title and completing a golden double in the sport.
The Shreyas Iyer-led team posted 211 for six after electing to bat at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on October 3. Pakistan remained in contention through Hasan Nawaz’s powerful 96 but finished at 192 for six from its 20 overs.
Abhishek Sharma Powers India to 211
Abhishek Sharma gave India an aggressive start, smashing 61 from only 28 deliveries. The left-handed opener struck three fours and seven sixes during an innings played at a strike rate above 217.
Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 15 from nine balls before being dismissed by Saim Ayub. Captain Shreyas Iyer made 21, while Ishan Kishan added 20.
Pakistan briefly regained control by taking wickets at regular intervals, but Tilak Varma transformed India’s finish. He remained unbeaten on 51 from 22 deliveries, hitting three fours and four sixes.
Shivam Dube also contributed a rapid 27 from 15 balls as India reached 211 for six—the highest total of the men’s tournament. Arafat Minhas was Pakistan’s most economical successful bowler, taking two wickets for 25 runs.
Indian Spinners Strike Early
Pakistan’s pursuit of 212 began poorly as Washington Sundar and Axar Patel reduced the team to 39 for three during the seventh over.
Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub rebuilt the innings with an 87-run partnership. Ayub scored 29 from 22 balls, while Hasan completed his half-century in 28 deliveries.
Hasan kept Pakistan’s hopes alive by hitting five fours and seven sixes. However, the required run rate continued to climb as India prevented him from receiving sustained support at the other end.
He was dismissed from the final delivery for 96 from 51 balls, leaving Pakistan 19 runs short.
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar finished with two wickets each for 29 runs. Shivam Dube also claimed two wickets, conceding 33.
India Complete Asian Games Cricket Double
The victory gave India its second consecutive Asian Games men’s cricket title. India had also won gold at the previous edition after its final against Afghanistan was abandoned.
India secured both cricket gold medals in Japan. The women’s team had earlier defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in its final.
Sri Lanka claimed the men’s bronze medal after beating Bangladesh by 63 runs. All-rounder Tharindu Ratnayake scored 65 from 32 balls and took two wickets in the third-place playoff.
The win over Pakistan added India’s 19th gold medal to its Asian Games tally and delivered one of the most closely watched contests of the tournament.
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