India Beat Pakistan by 19 Runs to Win Asian Games Gold

India defended their Asian Games men’s cricket gold medal with a thrilling 19-run win over Pakistan in the final at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, India made a flying start. Abhishek Sharma smashed 61 off 28 balls, hitting seven sixes, as India scored 81 runs in the powerplay.

Pakistan hit back in the middle overs, with Arafat Minhas claiming two wickets for 25 runs. India slipped briefly before Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube changed the momentum.

Tilak remained unbeaten on 51 off 22 balls, while Dube added 27 from 15 balls. The pair put together a crucial 62-run stand and smashed 57 runs in the final three overs.

India finished with 211/6 from their 20 overs, setting Pakistan a target of 212 for the gold medal.

Pakistan’s chase got off to a difficult start as India’s spinners made good use of the turning pitch. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar picked up two wickets each as Pakistan were reduced to 39/2 in the powerplay.

Hasan Nawaz then gave Pakistan hope with a brilliant counter-attack. After being dropped on four, he took the attack to the Indian bowlers and scored 96 runs from 51 balls, including seven sixes.

Nawaz and Saim Ayub added 87 runs to keep Pakistan in the contest. Pakistan entered the final over needing 33 runs, but India held their nerve.

Shivam Dube conceded only 13 runs in the final over and dismissed Nawaz with the last ball. Pakistan finished on 192/6, giving India a 19-run victory and another Asian Games gold medal.

The result also completed India’s clean sweep in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games. The Indian women’s team had already won gold earlier in the tournament, matching India’s success at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.