India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to defend Asian Games cricket gold
Synopsis
India's back-to-back Asian Games cricket gold tells only half the story. Abhishek Sharma shattered his own record with a 20-ball fifty against Pakistan — the fastest ever by an Indian in T20Is against their arch-rivals — and Hasan Nawaz's near-impossible lone 96 almost rewrote the script. India won by 19 runs, but the match delivered moments that will be replayed for years.
Key Takeaways
India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin on 3 October 2026 .
Abhishek Sharma scored 61 off 28 balls , including the fastest fifty by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is — reached in just 20 deliveries .
Tilak Varma hit 51 not out off 21 balls ; he and Shivam Dube added 62 runs for the sixth wicket to take India to 211/6 .
Hasan Nawaz kept Pakistan alive with an unbeaten 96 off 51 balls , but Pakistan fell short in their 20 overs.
Washington Sundar and Axar Patel each took 2 wickets for 29 runs ; Shivam Dube also claimed 2 wickets .
India successfully defended their Asian Games cricket gold medal, winning back-to-back titles.
India defended their Asian Games men's cricket gold medal with a commanding 19-run victory over Pakistan in the final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on 3 October 2026. A blazing top-order display powered India to 211/6, a total Pakistan could never quite chase despite a heroic lone-hand from Hasan Nawaz.
India's Explosive Batting Display
Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a scintillating 61 off 28 balls — including three fours and seven sixes — smashing the fastest fifty by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is, reaching the milestone in just 20 deliveries. That eclipsed his own previous record of a 24-ball fifty against Pakistan in Dubai in 2025.
Tilak Varma then took the baton with an equally brutal 51 not out off 21 balls, providing the late acceleration India needed on what was described as a sluggish surface. Tilak and Shivam Dube added 62 runs for the sixth wicket to give the innings a powerful finish. Pakistan's best bowlers were Arafat Minhas (2/25) and Ahmed Daniyal (2/43).
Pakistan's Spirited but Ultimately Futile Chase
In response, Pakistan were set a steep 212-run target and, for long stretches, appeared in genuine trouble. It was Hasan Nawaz who kept Pakistani hopes alive almost single-handedly, finishing unbeaten on a stunning 96 off 51 deliveries. Saim Ayub contributed 29 at the top, but no other batter offered sustained support. Pakistan eventually fell short, closing their 20 overs at 192 runs.
India's Bowling Clamps Down
India's spin duo of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel each claimed two wickets for 29 runs, keeping the pressure consistent through the middle overs. Shivam Dube, having already made a batting impact, chipped in with two wickets later in the chase to seal the contest. The disciplined bowling unit ensured Nawaz's heroics remained a footnote rather than the headline.
Historic Back-to-Back Gold for India
This victory marks India successfully defending their Asian Games cricket gold, a feat that underlines the depth and consistency of Indian T20 cricket at the continental level. Notably, India's batting unit has now produced multiple record-breaking individual performances against Pakistan in T20 formats across the past two years, pointing to a side hitting peak form at the right moments. The match at Korogi Sports Park drew wide attention as one of the most-anticipated cricket finals on the Asian Games calendar.
With the gold secured, India's cricket programme at the 2026 Asian Games concludes on the highest possible note — and sets a formidable benchmark ahead of upcoming ICC events.
Point of View
But the match exposed a recurring pattern in India-Pakistan T20 finals: India bat brilliantly and then rely on the opposition failing to build partnerships around a lone hero. Hasan Nawaz's 96 should prompt serious questions about Pakistan's batting depth — nine overs of his innings were essentially a solo exhibition. For India, Abhishek Sharma's back-to-back record-breaking performances against Pakistan in T20s signal an emerging generational rivalry dynamic, but the team's real test remains whether this white-ball dominance translates when full-strength squads meet in ICC knock-outs.
NationPress
3 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket gold medal?
India won the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket gold medal, beating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin on 3 October 2026. It is India's second consecutive Asian Games cricket gold.
What was Abhishek Sharma's record in the Asian Games final against Pakistan?
Abhishek Sharma scored 61 off 28 balls and reached his fifty in just 20 deliveries — the fastest fifty by an Indian batter against Pakistan in T20 internationals. This broke his own previous record of a 24-ball fifty against Pakistan in Dubai in 2025.
How did Hasan Nawaz perform in the Asian Games cricket final?
Hasan Nawaz scored an unbeaten 96 off 51 deliveries for Pakistan, nearly single-handedly keeping the chase alive. Despite his heroics, Pakistan fell short by 19 runs as no other batter provided adequate support.
What were the final scores in the India-Pakistan Asian Games 2026 cricket final?
India posted 211/6 in 20 overs, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 61 and Tilak Varma an unbeaten 51. Pakistan were restricted to 192 runs in their 20 overs, with Hasan Nawaz top-scoring with 96 not out. India won by 19 runs.
Which bowlers were most effective for India in the Asian Games final?
Washington Sundar and Axar Patel were India's most effective bowlers, each claiming two wickets for 29 runs. All-rounder Shivam Dube also took two wickets in the latter stages of Pakistan's chase to help seal the victory.
