THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

JAPAN, OCTOBER 3, 2026

India retained the men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games with a hard-fought 19-run victory over Pakistan on Saturday, riding a spirited batting display and disciplined bowling effort to defend 211 on a sluggish surface.

Chasing 212 for victory, Pakistan stayed in the contest largely through Hasan Nawaz, whose unbeaten 96 off 51 balls kept India under pressure until the closing stages. But India’s spinners Washington Sundar and Axar Patel struck twice each before Shivam Dube chipped in with two late wickets to restrict Pakistan to 192 for nine in 20 overs.

Hasan’s valiant knock, studded with boundaries, gave Pakistan hope of pulling off a remarkable chase. India, however, held their nerve when it mattered, denying their neighbours a late surge and securing another gold medal in the men’s cricket event.

Earlier, India overcame a slow pitch to post an imposing 211 for six. Abhishek Sharma provided the early impetus, smashing the fastest half-century by an Indian batter against Pakistan in T20Is. He reached his fifty in only 20 balls, bettering his previous 24-ball effort against Pakistan in Dubai in 2025.

Abhishek eventually departed for a blistering 61 off 28 balls, with three fours and seven sixes, giving India the perfect platform despite the challenging batting conditions.

Tilak Varma then took charge of the closing stages, racing to a 21-ball half-century. His unbeaten 51, in partnership with Shivam Dube, produced 62 runs for the sixth wicket and propelled India beyond the 200-run mark.

Pakistan’s bowlers had enjoyed some success earlier, with Arafat Minhas and Ahmed Daniyal taking two wickets apiece, but India’s late acceleration proved decisive.

The Indian bowlers subsequently kept the Pakistan chase within reach but never allowed it to get away. Washington and Axar applied pressure through the middle overs, while Dube returned at the death to claim two crucial wickets.

With Hasan stranded on 96 not out, Pakistan finished on 192 for nine, leaving India with a 19-run victory and another 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 192/9 in 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 96 not out, Saim Ayub 29; Washington Sundar 2-29, Axar Patel 2-29) by 19 runs.