India beat arch-rivals Pakistan to win Asian Games T20 cricket gold
India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games men's T20 final in Nagoya, Japan, securing the gold medal after posting 211-6. Pakistan fell short at 192-6 despite a near-century from Hasan Nawaz, who scored 96 in the chase.
Why It Matters
The result settles one of cricket's most storied rivalries on an international multi-sport stage and caps a high-scoring tournament performance by India, who recorded the highest team total of the competition in the final. It also highlights the growing profile of T20 cricket within the Asian Games program.
Key Facts
- Match: Asian Games men's T20 cricket gold medal match
- Location: Nagoya, Japan
- Result: India beat Pakistan by 19 runs
- India score: 211-6 (20 overs)
- Pakistan score: 192-6 (20 overs)
India and Pakistan produced a high-octane final in Nagoya as India clinched the Asian Games T20 gold with a 19-run victory. Batting first, India amassed 211-6 in their allotted 20 overs, the highest team total recorded in the tournament to that point. They reached their 100-run mark in just 55 balls, powered early by a blistering contribution from Abhishek Sharma.
Sharma reached a 20-ball half-century en route to 61, giving India a rapid start on the converted baseball field used for the match. Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer were later dismissed for 20 and 21 respectively, but a late-innings surge from Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube put India firmly ahead. The pair added 62 runs in the final five overs for the sixth wicket, helping India eclipse their previous tournament best of 169-7 recorded against Sri Lanka in the semi-final.
In response, Pakistan were driven by Hasan Nawaz, who scored a fighting 96 as he pushed his side close to the target. Despite his near-century, Pakistan finished at 192-6, falling 19 runs short of the mark set by India. The final was played in front of a small, but vociferous crowd, underscoring strong regional interest in the rivalry even at the multi-sport event.
The match capped a tournament in which India produced several standout batting performances and underlined the competitive intensity that India–Pakistan fixtures continue to generate in international cricket. Hasan Nawaz's innings provided Pakistan with a late hope, but the earlier power-hitting from India's top and middle order proved decisive.
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