India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday to win the Asian Games men’s cricket gold medal. Opening batter Abhishek Sharma scored 61 and Tilak Varma added an unbeaten 51, while Hasan Nawaz’s valiant 96 fell just short in Pakistan’s record run chase.
India secured a golden double in continental cricket on Saturday as the men’s team defeated fierce rivals Pakistan by 19 runs in a pulsating final held at Korogi Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Japan. Defending a total of 211 for six, India withstood a blistering 96-run onslaught from Pakistan’s Hasan Nawaz to claim back-to-back Asian Games titles following their 2023 victory in Hangzhou, China. The squad secured the title on October 3 after overcoming significant rain disruptions during their preparation.
Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma Power India to 211
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India raced out of the blocks despite an early setback. Fifteen-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi struck back-to-back sixes in the second over before falling for 15, but fellow opener Abhishek Sharma seized control of the innings. Abhishek clubbed seven sixes on his way to 61 off just 28 deliveries, anchoring an explosive powerplay that pushed India to a commanding 81 for two after six overs. He reached his half-century off 20 balls to an ovation from fans, though he was aided by dropped catches and an unexecuted run-out opportunity while on 46.
Pakistan’s bowlers managed a temporary resurgence in the middle overs, removing Ishan Kishan for 20 and captain Shreyas Iyer for 21 as India slipped to 133 for five in the 15th over. However, Tilak Varma and all-rounder Shivam Dube turned the momentum with a destructive sixth-wicket partnership of 62 runs in five overs.
Hasan Nawaz Threatens Record Chase Before Late Stumble
Faced with a target of 212, Pakistan needed to pull off the highest successful run chase in their T20 international history. Early wickets threatened an early collapse as they slumped to 39 for three, but Hasan Nawaz single-handedly dragged his side back into contention.
Hasan found a vital ally in Saim Ayub during an 87-run stand that kept Pakistan cruising through the middle overs before Dube induced Ayub into a false shot that Washington Sundar caught running in from square leg. Tight death-overs bowling from Sundar and other lead bowlers left Pakistan needing 52 runs off the final three overs. Hasan fell off the very last ball of the match while attempting one final big hit, sealing India’s 19-run victory and extending their winning streak against Pakistan in men’s T20 internationals to seven matches.
Political Friction Disrupts Medals Ceremony After Rain Delays Training
The high-stakes fixture unfolded against a backdrop of strict political friction that previously brought the neighbouring nations to the brink of war.
Only the Indian squad received medals during the presentation ceremony conducted by Jay Shah, while Pakistan and bronze medallists Sri Lanka—who beat Bangladesh by 63 runs in the third-place playoff—were presented with their medals by Asian Games officials. The triumph followed a severely disrupted preparation window in Japan, where persistent rain forced the team to train on the side after arriving on September 20 without proper outdoor practice for nearly a week.
If have to use a word, I would say, ‘ecstatic’. Since the day we arrived in Japan, it was raining cats and dogs and we couldn’t practise for almost a week. But the boys, the way they prepped themselves and also we were doing our training on the side. We didn’t complain, we didn’t give any reason, So that was a sign of a champion itself, champion team. And today was just a reflection of that.
Shreyas Iyer, India Captain
Reflecting on the milestone victory, Board of Control for Cricket in India Secretary Devajit Saikia asserted that India has evolved into a global superpower in limited-overs cricket. With both the men’s and women’s teams securing gold medals at the Nagoya games—the women having defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs on September 22—the nation added its 19th gold and 81st overall medal of the continental event. Team India currently holds the ICC Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup title in men’s cricket alongside age-group and women’s titles, and the squad is scheduled to return to India before shifting attention to their next assignment against the West Indies.