The India players celebrate their gold medal by doing a victory lap of the stadium • AFP/Getty Images
India successfully defended its Asian Games men’s cricket gold medal with a hard-fought 19-run victory over Pakistan in the final at Nisshin. While India appeared in control for much of the match, a brilliant innings from Pakistan’s Hasan Nawaz kept the contest alive until the closing moments.
Batting first, India posted 211 for 6 in their 20 overs, thanks largely to attacking half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma. Pakistan responded with 192 for 6, with Nawaz producing a remarkable 96 off just 51 balls, but his efforts were not enough to take his team over the line.
Abhishek Gives India a Flying Start
India's innings got off to an explosive beginning as Abhishek Sharma took charge during the powerplay. Pakistan struggled to contain the aggressive left-hander, who punished loose deliveries and cleared the boundary with ease.
Abhishek smashed 61 runs and struck seven sixes during his entertaining knock. His aggressive approach helped India race to 93 for 3 inside eight overs and put Pakistan under immediate pressure.
Although Pakistan managed to remove a few key batters and briefly slow the scoring rate through their spin attack, India still maintained the upper hand.
Tilak and Dube Finish Strong
After Pakistan's bowlers regained some control in the middle overs, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube shifted the momentum back in India's favor.
The pair launched a late assault, taking advantage of several full deliveries and finding the boundary regularly. Their powerful hitting added valuable runs in the closing overs, helping India collect 69 runs from the final four overs.
Tilak remained unbeaten on 51 and finished the innings in style, guiding India to a challenging total of 211.
For Pakistan, Arafat Minhas was the standout bowler with figures of 3 for 25, while Ahmed Daniyal claimed two wickets.
Nawaz Leads Pakistan’s Fightback
Pakistan’s chase got off to a shaky start, losing wickets at regular intervals. When Hasan Nawaz arrived at the crease, his side was struggling and in danger of falling far behind the required rate.
However, the young batter transformed the match with a fearless counterattack. After a cautious start, he began striking boundaries all around the ground and quickly shifted the pressure back onto India.
Nawaz shared an important partnership with Saim Ayub, and together they revived Pakistan’s hopes with an aggressive stand that kept the target within reach.
Hasan Nawaz played positively•AFP/Getty Images
The right-hander dominated the scoring, producing a series of powerful shots and taking the game deep into the final overs.
Indian Bowlers Hold Their Nerve
Despite Nawaz’s heroics, India’s bowlers delivered at crucial moments. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar picked up two wickets each and helped keep Pakistan from building sustained momentum.
With Pakistan still chasing the game in the final overs, India turned to Jasprit Bumrah, who produced an outstanding over under pressure. His accurate yorkers and slower deliveries made scoring extremely difficult and significantly increased the required run rate.
Pakistan entered the last over needing an unlikely total, and although Nawaz continued fighting, the target ultimately proved too much.
He finished on 96, just four runs short of a memorable century, before being dismissed on the final ball of the innings.
India Retains Asian Games Gold
The victory secured another Asian Games gold medal for India and highlighted the team's strength in both batting and bowling. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma laid the foundation with the bat, while the bowlers held their composure when Pakistan threatened a comeback.
Pakistan had to settle for silver, but Hasan Nawaz’s outstanding innings ensured the final remained competitive until the very end, making it one of the most entertaining matches of the tournament.
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