India edge Pakistan by 19 runs to claim Asian Games cricket gold

Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma power India to 211 before Pakistan’s Hasan Nawaz-led fightback falls short

Sports Desk

NISSHIN: India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday, securing the gold medal after defending a formidable total of 211-6 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.

Chasing 212 for victory, Pakistan finished at 192-6 despite a spectacular 96 off 51 balls from Hasan Nawaz, who kept his side’s hopes alive deep into the innings. India’s bowlers, however, held their nerve in the decisive stages to seal the victory.

India’s imposing total was built around explosive innings from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. Abhishek smashed 61 off just 28 balls, including seven sixes, while Varma provided a blistering finish with an unbeaten 51 off 22 deliveries.

Pakistan began their chase cautiously, with Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat adding 33 for the opening wicket. Washington Sundar then broke the partnership by dismissing Farhan for 10 off 11 balls.

India tightened the pressure immediately afterwards. Axar Patel removed Usman Khan for three, before striking again to dismiss Maaz for 23, leaving Pakistan struggling at 39-3 after 6.1 overs.

With Pakistan in trouble, Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub launched a counterattack. The pair added 87 runs to revive Pakistan’s chase and take the score beyond the 100-run mark.

Nawaz continued his aggressive strokeplay and brought up his half-century, but India eventually broke the partnership when Shivam Dube dismissed Saim for 29 off 22 balls.

Pakistan reached 162-5 after 17.3 overs when Washington Sundar removed Abdul Samad for nine, leaving the team needing 50 runs from the final 15 deliveries.

Despite Nawaz’s valiant effort, the required rate proved too steep. He remained unbeaten on 96 off 51 balls, with five fours and seven sixes, while Saad Masood finished on 12 not out. India’s bowling attack was led by Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube, who claimed two wickets apiece.

India make flying start

Earlier, India made an explosive start after opting to bat first. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma raced to 28 runs in the opening two overs before Saim Ayub provided Pakistan with the breakthrough, dismissing Sooryavanshi for 15 off nine balls.

Abhishek continued his assault and helped India race past 50 before Ahmed Daniyal removed Sanju Samson for two, leaving India 51-2 after 3.5 overs.

The left-hander remained unstoppable, reaching his half-century in just 20 balls before Arafat Minhas finally dismissed him for 61 off 28, an innings featuring three fours and seven sixes.

Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan then steadied the innings, adding 35 runs before Minhas struck again to remove Kishan for 20 off 18 balls.

Abrar Ahmed subsequently dismissed India captain Iyer for 21, leaving India five down, but Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma shifted the momentum back in India’s favour.

Varma launched a late assault on Pakistan’s bowlers, hitting successive sixes off Sufiyan Muqeem before Dube fell to Ahmed Daniyal in the final over for 27 off 15 balls.

Varma then continued the onslaught, smashing another six to bring up his half-century and taking India beyond the 200-run mark. He finished unbeaten on 51 off 22 balls, including three fours and four sixes, as India posted 211-6. For Pakistan, Ahmed Daniyal and Arafat Minhas took two wickets each, while Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed claimed one apiece.

India’s victory earned them gold, while Pakistan had to settle for silver after a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful chase.