India Retain Asian Games Cricket Gold With 19-Run Win

India retained the men’s Asian Games cricket gold medal on October 3, defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final in Nisshin, Japan. India made 211 for six in 20 overs, then held Pakistan to 192 for six to secure its second consecutive title in the event. Abhishek Sharma scored 61 from 28 balls to give India an aggressive start after the team chose to bat. Tilak Varma finished unbeaten on 51 from 22 balls, and Shivam Dube added 27. Varma and Dube put on 62 runs for the sixth wicket, helping India lift its total past 200. The reported innings score was the highest in the men’s cricket competition at these Games. Pakistan’s chase of 212 was revived by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls and shared an 87-run partnership with Saim Ayub. India had taken early wickets, leaving Pakistan at 39 for three, but Nawaz kept the target within reach into the final over. He was dismissed on the last ball of the innings, and Pakistan finished 19 runs short. The result gave India the gold and Pakistan the silver. India had also won the men’s title at the previous Asian Games, held in Hangzhou in 2023.