India Defeat Pakistan by 19 Runs to Defend Asian Games Cricket Gold

Nisshin, Oct 2026 : India defended their gold medal in the Asian Games men’s cricket final, defeating Pakistan by 19 runs at Korogi Sports Park on Saturday, despite a valiant unbeaten 96 from Hasan Nawaz.

Chasing a challenging target of 212, Pakistan relied heavily on Nawaz, who struck 96 off just 51 deliveries, but India’s bowlers held their nerve during the closing stages to secure victory.

Spinners Washington Sundar and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each, while Shivam Dube also picked up two crucial wickets during the latter part of Pakistan’s innings, restricting the opposition within its 20 overs.

Earlier, India posted an imposing 211/6 after overcoming a sluggish playing surface, powered by aggressive half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma.

Abhishek made history by recording the fastest fifty by an Indian batter against Pakistan in T20 internationals. He reached the milestone in just 20 deliveries, surpassing his previous 24-ball effort against Pakistan in Dubai in 2025.

The left-hander eventually scored 61 off 28 balls, hitting three boundaries and seven sixes to provide India with a flying start.

After India navigated a relatively challenging middle phase, Tilak Varma delivered a blistering late assault. He completed his half-century in just 21 deliveries, maintaining the momentum and strengthening India’s total.

Tilak remained unbeaten on 51, while Shivam Dube played an important role in the closing overs. The pair stitched together a valuable 62-run partnership for the sixth wicket, ensuring India crossed the 200-run mark.

For Pakistan, Arafat Minhas and Ahmed Daniyal picked up two wickets apiece, but their efforts could not prevent India from setting a formidable target.

Pakistan’s chase ultimately revolved around Nawaz’s counter-attacking innings, but the regular fall of wickets prevented the team from building the partnerships required to overhaul the total.

India’s disciplined bowling performance in the decisive overs sealed a 19-run victory, allowing the team to retain its Asian Games men’s cricket gold medal.

Brief scores: India 211/6 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 61, Tilak Varma 51 not out; Arafat Minhas 2/25, Ahmed Daniyal 2/43) beat Pakistan in 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 96 not out, Saim Ayub 29; Washington Sundar 2/29, Axar Patel 2/29) by 19 runs.