India Beat Pakistan | Nisshin, Oct. 3: India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday to win the gold medal and successfully defend their title.
India posted 211 for six after batting first at Korogi Sports Park. Abhishek Sharma provided a blistering start with 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma finished the innings with an unbeaten 51 off 22 balls.
Shivam Dube also played an important late cameo, scoring 27 off 15 deliveries. India added 69 runs in the final four overs to cross the 200-run mark.
Pakistan began the chase under pressure but stayed in contention through Hasan Nawaz. The batter produced a superb 96 off 51 balls and shared a crucial 87-run partnership with Saim Ayub.
However, India kept taking wickets at key moments and restricted Pakistan to 192 for six in 20 overs. Nawaz was dismissed in the final over as India completed the 19-run victory.
India Beat Pakistan | Tilak and Abhishek Lead India to Asian Games Gold
Abhishek’s explosive innings gave India early momentum. He reached his half-century from just 20 balls and struck seven sixes during his knock.
India then lost wickets during the middle overs as Pakistan’s spinners slowed the scoring rate. Tilak Varma changed the momentum with a powerful finish.
He reached his fifty from 21 balls and remained unbeaten on 51, including three fours and four sixes. Dube’s 27 off 15 also helped India add crucial runs at the death.
Pakistan’s chase struggled initially, but Nawaz kept the contest alive. India’s bowlers maintained pressure through the middle and final overs.
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar claimed two wickets each, while Jasprit Bumrah also played a key role in restricting Pakistan’s scoring.
The victory gives India their second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had previously won gold at the Hangzhou Games after the 2023 final against Afghanistan was abandoned.
The final was also the first men’s cricket meeting between India and Pakistan at the Asian Games. India’s victory completed a golden double in cricket at the 2026 Games after the Indian women’s team also won gold.
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