India Defeats Pakistan to Retain Asian Games Cricket Gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games, defending the gold medal it won at the previous Games. India posted 211 for six in 20 overs, then restricted Pakistan to 192 for six to secure the title in Nisshin, Japan, on October 3. India’s innings was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 from 28 balls, and Tilak Varma, who made an unbeaten 51 from 22. Shivam Dube added 27 as India finished above 200. The reports differ on whether Dube faced 14 or 15 balls, so that detail remains unclear. Pakistan’s chase stayed within reach through Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls, but the team fell short. Dube, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel each took two wickets, according to match accounts. The 19-run margin gave India consecutive men’s cricket gold medals at the Asian Games. The men’s victory followed a gold medal for India’s women’s cricket team earlier in the tournament. India’s players and cricket officials described the result as significant for the team and the country, while their comments also reflected on preparation and the broader development of the sport.