India Beat Pakistan by 19 Runs to Retain Asian Games Cricket Gold

By Thetripurapost Desk, Nagoya
Oct 03, 2026
153

India produced another memorable performance in the Asian Games men’s final, defeating Pakistan by 19 runs to retain the gold medal in men’s T20 cricket.

Batting first after winning the toss, India posted an imposing 211/6 in 20 overs at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. Pakistan fought back strongly during the chase, largely through a spectacular innings from Hasan Nawaz, but eventually finished at 192/6.

The victory gave India their second consecutive Asian Games men’s cricket gold, following their triumph at the previous edition. The result also completed India’s golden double in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games after the women’s team had earlier won its competition.

Abhishek Sharma Sets the Tone for India

India’s innings received an explosive start from Abhishek Sharma, who attacked the Pakistan bowling from the opening overs.

The left-handed openeer smashed 61 runs from only 28 deliveries, clearing the boundary seven times. His rapid scoring allowed India to build significant momentum during the Powerplay and put Pakistan under immediate pressure.

Abhishek reached his half-century from just 20 balls before his aggressive innings eventually came to an end. His contribution laid the foundation for India’s imposing total.

Tilak Varma Finishes India’s Innings in Style

After Abhishek’s departure, Pakistan managed to slow India’s scoring for a period. However, Tilak Varma provided the late acceleration India needed.

Tilak remained unbeaten on 51 from 22 balls, striking four sixes as India crossed the 200-run mark. His late assault helped India finish with 211/6, giving Pakistan a difficult target of 212.

Shivam Dube also made an important contribution during the closing stages, while captain Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan added useful runs in the middle order.

Hasan Nawaz Launches Pakistan’s Fightback

Pakistan’s response appeared to remain alive largely because of Hasan Nawaz.

The Pakistan batter produced an outstanding 96-run innings from 51 balls, including seven sixes, and kept his team within reach of the target deep into the second innings.

Saim Ayub contributed 29 runs, but Pakistan struggled to maintain the required scoring rate consistently. With wickets falling around Nawaz, the chase eventually slipped beyond Pakistan’s reach.

Hasan Nawaz was dismissed with the match entering its final stages, ending Pakistan’s hopes of completing the chase. Pakistan closed their 20 overs on 192/6, leaving India with a 19-run victory.

India’s Bowlers Seal the Asian Games Final

India’s bowling unit played a crucial role in defending the 211-run total.

Washington Sundar and Axar Patel took two wickets each, while Shivam Dube also claimed two wickets. Their combined effort prevented Pakistan from converting Hasan Nawaz’s remarkable individual performance into a match-winning chase.

The final scorecard read:

India: 211/6 in 20 overs
Abhishek Sharma 61, Tilak Varma 51*

Pakistan: 192/6 in 20 overs
Hasan Nawaz 96, Saim Ayub 29

India won by 19 runs.

India Add Another Gold to Growing Asian Games Tally

India’s success in cricket came amid a strong final day at the 2026 Asian Games.

Wrestler Aman Sehrawat won gold in the men’s freestyle 57kg category, defeating North Korea’s Han Chong Song 11-7 in the final. The victory marked another significant addition to India’s medal haul.

Earlier, Kumkum Mohod secured gold in women’s individual recurve archery, while Pranavi Urs won the women’s individual golf gold.

With cricket, wrestling, archery and golf contributing gold medals, India continued its strong showing at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

India vs Malaysia Hockey Final Also in Focus

India’s men’s hockey team was also involved in the Asian Games gold-medal contest against Malaysia.

The match featured Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh, who has been one of India’s key penalty-corner specialists throughout the tournament. The International Hockey Federation’s official match page lists India and Malaysia as the finalists in the men’s competition.

The cricket victory therefore added another major highlight to an important day for Indian sport, with the country competing for medals across several disciplines.

Why India’s Asian Games Cricket Victory Matters

India’s latest triumph reinforces the country’s dominance in Asian Games cricket. The men’s team successfully defended its title against Pakistan, while the women’s team had already secured gold earlier in the competition.

The 19-run victory was built on aggressive batting from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, followed by disciplined bowling from India’s all-rounders and spinners.

For Pakistan, Hasan Nawaz’s 96 was one of the standout individual performances of the final, but it was not enough to deny India another Asian Games cricket gold.

For more latest updates on Asian Games 2026, India-Pakistan cricket, sports, Tripura and national news, visit TheTripuraPost.Com