India beats Pakistan to win Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket gold
Indian men’s cricket team won a second consecutive gold at the Asian Games. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Indian men’s cricket team won a second consecutive gold at the Asian Games. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
India retained its Asian Games men’s cricket gold medal with a 19-run victory over Pakistan in the final at Nisshin on Saturday, adding another gold to its haul at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
It was India’s 19th gold medal of the ongoing edition.
India, unchanged from its semifinal win over Sri Lanka, opted to bat and posted 211 for six, powered by aggressive half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma.
Abhishek set the tone at the top, smashing 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak provided the late acceleration with a 22-ball 51. His partnership with Shivam Dube proved particularly important, the pair adding 62 from just 30 balls for the sixth wicket to take India beyond 200.
India’s decision to pack its XI with all-rounders again paid dividends, giving it batting depth down to No. 9 and allowing the top order to attack without having to look too far down the card.
Pakistan’s chase began with purpose, but India kept finding wickets at key moments. Hasan Nawaz, however, refused to let the contest slip away, producing a superb 51-ball 96 to keep Pakistan in contention.
With 68 needed from 24 balls and six wickets in hand, Pakistan still had a realistic chance of pulling off the chase. Hasan was going strongly and Shivam Dube’s 17th over went for 16, raising the prospect of a tense finish.
Washington Sundar then turned the contest in India’s favour. He conceded only eight in the 18th over and picked up a crucial wicket, tightening the screws just when Pakistan appeared to be gaining momentum.
With 44 required from the final 12 balls, Jasprit Bumrah conceded only 11 in the penultimate over. That left Pakistan needing 33 from the last six, a mountain it could not climb.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka claimed the bronze medal after beating Bangladesh, with Tharindu Ratnayake producing a stellar all-round performance to help his side reclaim third place.
Published on Oct 03, 2026
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