Asian Games 2026: India beat Pakistan to clinch gold in men's cricket

India, powered by Tilak Varma, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, posted 211/6 after being asked to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192/6 in 20 overs.

Abhishek gives India explosive start

India, led by Shreyas Iyer, elected to bat first after winning the toss.

Pakistan opened with spin, but Abhishek Sharma immediately went on the offensive, including a 24-run over from Saad Masood.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also joined the attack, hitting two sixes before being dismissed by Saim Ayub for 15 off nine balls. Ayub's rocking-baby celebration following the dismissal also drew attention.

Sanju Samson fell soon after, but Abhishek continued to attack.

He brought up his half-century from just 20 balls and eventually scored 61 off 28, including three fours and seven sixes, before being dismissed by Arafat Minhas in the eighth over.

Tilak, Dube power India to 211

India reached 114/3 at the halfway stage, despite losing wickets at regular intervals.

Minhas then dismissed Ishan Kishan, but Tilak Varma took charge and accelerated the innings.

Tilak completed his half-century in just 21 balls and remained unbeaten on 51 off 22, hitting three fours and four sixes.

Shivam Dube provided valuable support with 27 off 15 balls. The pair added 51 runs from 25 balls, helping India finish strongly.

India smashed 46 runs in the final three overs to reach 211/6, their highest total of the tournament.

Pakistan lose wickets in chase

Pakistan needed 212 runs to win the gold medal but struggled to build momentum after losing wickets at regular intervals.

At the halfway stage, Pakistan were 76/3, leaving them with a steep required run rate.

Jasprit Bumrah kept the pressure on with a disciplined spell, while Axar Patel struck twice to dismiss Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat.

Despite the setbacks, Hasan Nawaz kept Pakistan's hopes alive with an aggressive knock.

Hasan Nawaz keeps Pakistan in hunt

Nawaz produced the standout innings of Pakistan's chase, smashing 96 off 51 balls, including five fours and seven sixes.

His counter-attacking innings kept Pakistan within reach of India's total, but he received limited support from the other end.

Nawaz remained Pakistan's last major hope deep into the innings before being dismissed with the final ball of the match.

Pakistan eventually finished on 192/6, falling 19 runs short of India's total.

India clinch gold

India's victory secured the men's cricket gold medal at the Asian Games 2026, while Pakistan settled for silver.

India: 211/6 (20 overs)
Pakistan: 192/6 (20 overs)
Result: India won by 19 runs

(Photos: BCCI X handle)