Cricket / India Retain Asian Games Gold with Win over Pakistan

Nisshin, Oct 3: At Korogi Sports Park, the Asian Games men’s cricket final unfolded like a gripping drama — India’s batting fireworks, Pakistan’s lone resistance, and ultimately, a golden triumph for the defending champions.

India posted a formidable 211/6 in 20 overs on a sluggish surface, thanks to a blazing start from Abhishek Sharma, who smashed the fastest fifty by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is. He reached the milestone in just 20 balls, bettering his own 24‑ball effort in Dubai in 2025.

Sharma’s 61 off 28 balls, laced with three fours and seven towering sixes, set the tone. Later, Tilak Varma’s 21‑ball fifty and a crucial 62‑run stand with Shivam Dube ensured India finished strongly.

Also read: Abhishek Sharma Smashes Records in Asian Games Final

Pakistan’s chase revolved around one man — Hasan Nawaz, who fought valiantly with an unbeaten 96 off 51 deliveries. His lone brilliance, however, could not prevent India from tightening the screws.

The spin duo of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each, while Dube struck twice in the latter stages to derail Pakistan’s hopes.

Despite Nawaz’s heroics, Pakistan fell short by 19 runs, handing India a dominant victory and a successful defence of their Asian Games gold medal.

Brief scores: India 211/6 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 61, Tilak Varma 51 not out; Arafat Minhas 2-25, Ahmed Daniyal 2-43) beat Pakistan in 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 96, Saim Ayub 29; Washington Sundar 2-29, Axar Patel 2-29) by 19 runs.

(IANS)