Asian Games 2026: India produced a composed all-round performance to defeat Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s T20 gold-medal match at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday, successfully defending their Asian Games title. India posted 211/6 after opting to bat first and then restricted Pakistan to 192/6 in 20 overs.
Abhishek, Tilak power India to imposing total
India made a flying start, reaching 28 runs in just over two overs before Vaibhav Sooryavanshi departed for 15 off nine balls. Abhishek Sharma then took charge, smashing 61 from only 28 deliveries, including three fours and seven sixes. His innings came at a strike rate of 217.85 and provided the foundation for India’s big total.
Sanju Samson fell for two, while captain Shreyas Iyer made 21 off 24 and Ishan Kishan contributed 20 off 18. With India reduced to 133/5, Pakistan appeared to have pulled things back.
However, Shivam Dube’s 27 off 15 balls and Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 51 off 22 deliveries changed the momentum. Tilak struck three fours and four sixes at a staggering strike rate of 231.81, helping India add the late acceleration required to cross 200.
Pakistan’s chase initially lost momentum after Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan and Maaz Sadaqat fell, leaving them at 39/3. Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub then launched a remarkable recovery.
The pair added 87 runs for the fourth wicket, with Ayub making 29 off 22 balls. Nawaz was outstanding, smashing 96 off 51 balls with five fours and seven sixes. His innings kept Pakistan in contention deep into the chase.
But India’s bowlers held their nerve at the crucial stages. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar claimed two wickets each, while Shivam Dube finished with 2/33 and dismissed Nawaz with the final delivery of the innings. Pakistan ended on 192/6, 19 runs short of India’s total.
The victory gave India back-to-back men’s cricket gold medals at the Asian Games and completed a cricket gold-medal double after the women’s team had also retained its title.
Brief Scores: India 211/6 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 61, Tilak Varma 51*, Shivam Dube 27; Arafat Minhas 2-25) beat Pakistan 192/6 in 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 96, Saim Ayub 29; Axar Patel 2-29, Washington Sundar 2-29, Shivam Dube 2-33) by 19 runs
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