India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final on Saturday, retaining their gold medal. Hasan Nawaz struck 96 off 51 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192-6 while chasing 212.
The final took place at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, part of Japan’s Aichi-Nagoya Games. Pakistan claimed silver after India combined an explosive start with a decisive late batting surge.
Pakistan struggled early in their pursuit of the tournament’s highest total. Captain Sahibzada Farhan scored 10 off 11 balls before falling to a catch off Washington Sundar.
Usman Khan contributed just three from six deliveries, adding pressure on the remaining batters. Opener Maaz Sadaqat made 23 off 18 balls before Axar Patel bowled him in the seventh over.
Nawaz and Saim Ayub then revived Pakistan’s hopes with a partnership worth more than 80 runs. Their stand steadied the innings and kept Pakistan within reach despite the demanding required rate.
Ayub scored 29 off 22 balls before falling to a catch off Shivam Dube in the 15th over. His departure left Nawaz carrying much of Pakistan’s remaining challenge.
Nawaz continued attacking, but India maintained enough control to protect their advantage. Pakistan needed 44 from the final two overs, leaving little room for missed scoring opportunities.
Jasprit Bumrah’s penultimate over left Pakistan needing 33 from the last six balls. Nawaz finished four runs short of a century as India secured the title.
Earlier, India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bat. Abhishek Sharma immediately put Pakistan’s attack under pressure, reaching his half-century in just 20 balls.
He finished with 61 as India raced to 100 in 55 deliveries. That opening assault established the platform for a total above 200.
Pakistan’s bowlers briefly slowed the scoring through the dismissals of Ishan Kishan for 20 and Iyer for 21. However, Tilak Varma and Dube restored India’s momentum with a sixth-wicket partnership worth 62 runs in roughly five overs.
Their late acceleration lifted India to 211-6 from 20 overs. The total surpassed India’s 169-7 against Sri Lanka in the semi-final, setting a new tournament high.
Both finalists had entered the gold-medal match following convincing semi-final victories on Thursday. India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs after dismissing them for 45.
Pakistan beat Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened contest of 13 overs per side. Abdul Samad scored an unbeaten 30, while Nawaz contributed 27 not out.
Their unbeaten 59-run partnership helped Pakistan complete that chase with nine balls remaining. Nawaz again anchored Pakistan’s challenge in the final, but his larger contribution could not deliver gold.
