India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to retain Asian Games cricket gold in Nagoya
India retain Asian Games cricket gold with 19-run win over Pakistan
India's men beat their fierce rivals Pakistan by 19 runs to complete a golden double in Asian Games cricket after a pulsating final in front of a small but raucous crowd at the Korogi Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. The T20 world champions posted 211 for six in their 20 overs, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 61 and Tilak Varma an unbeaten 51, before Hasan Nawaz's valiant 96 saw Pakistan come up short at 192 for six.
The neighbouring countries only meet in international tournaments and on neutral ground because of political tensions, and the captains refused the normal handshakes before the match on Saturday. Afterwards, the jubilant India players paraded their national flag around the ground, taking a lap of honour as the Indian tricolour was waved from the bench in homage to their country.
A blistering start with the bat
After India chose to bat, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made clear his intention with back-to-back sixes in a second over from Saad Masood that cost 24 runs. But the 15-year-old batting sensation fell four balls later for 15. His opening partner, Abhishek, reached his half-century off just 20 balls to an ovation from fans who had brought a touch of South Asia cricket fever to the converted baseball field. India were aided by sloppy Pakistan fielding that saw Abhishek dropped twice; he should also have been run out on 46 when Ahmed Daniyal's throw missed both stumps and the wicketkeeper with Abhishek stranded.
India piled on the runs early, mustering 81 in the first six overs. After Abhishek went for 61 off 28 balls, Ishan Kishan fell for 20 and captain Shreyas Iyer departed for 21, and the Pakistan bowlers began to regain control, pegging India back to 133 for five in the 15th over. But Tilak Varma hit four sixes and Shivam Dube two more as the pair unleashed a late onslaught, putting on 62 in five overs for the sixth wicket to take India past 200.
Hasan Nawaz's lone heroics fall short
Pakistan's previous best score batting second in T20 internationals was 208 for three against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, and they made a good start in search of their record chase. Sahibzada Farhan (10) and Maaz Sadaqat put on 33 for the first wicket in 3.4 overs before Sadaqat went for 23. Hasan had other ideas, racing to a half-century off 28 balls with five sixes. He was supported by Saim Ayub and their partnership grew to 87 before Dube struck, inducing Ayub into a false shot with Washington Sundar gratefully grasping the chance running in from square leg to leave Pakistan 126 for four at the start of the 15th over.
Hasan ploughed on and Pakistan needed 52 off the last three overs when Sundar got Abdul Samad to hole out to long-on. At 168 for five with two overs left, India brought back Jasprit Bumrah and his over cost only 11 runs, leaving an improbable 33 off the final over, bowled by Dube. Hasan reached 96 and fell off the last ball attempting one last big shot, caught behind by Sanju Samson. His brilliant knock came off 51 deliveries, with seven sixes and five fours.
"OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shivam Dube wraps up the Gold medal with a wicket. INDIA WIN BY 19 RUNS!"
Earlier, India's spinners had bowled well in the Powerplay, with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar getting crucial breakthroughs. Sundar finished with two wickets and two catches, including a brilliant catch to dismiss Saim Ayub, while Bumrah was typically solid. Ravi Bishnoi and Abhishek Sharma went for plenty, allowing Pakistan back into the contest, but Dube returned to bowl the tough final over and seal the deal.
A clean sweep for India
Just like at Hangzhou in 2023, India clean-swept the cricket competitions at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, winning both the Men's and Women's gold medals at the 20th Asian Games. The women's team had earlier beaten Sri Lanka by 147 runs in their final on 22 September. Sri Lanka took the bronze medal after beating Bangladesh by 63 runs in the third-place playoff, while Pakistan's silver is an improvement on their fourth-place finish in the previous edition. India's gold-medal tally at the Games rose to 19.
India had reached the final by crushing Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semifinal on 1 October, booking a mouth-watering gold-medal rematch against Pakistan. For now, the cricket competition at the Asian Games is done — and India reign supreme once again.