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India have done it again. Shreyas Iyer's side defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men's cricket final of the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday to win the gold medal and successfully defend the title they won in 2023. In a final that had everything — explosive batting, pressure, a brilliant individual effort from Pakistan and a tense finish — India posted 211/6 in 20 overs before restricting Pakistan to 192/6 at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. For India, the victory completed a cricket gold-medal double at the Asian Games. The women's team had already won gold earlier in the tournament, meaning India finish the Games with both cricket titles.
Abhishek Sharma sets the final on fire
India's innings was given an explosive start by Abhishek Sharma, who played one of the most aggressive knocks of the tournament. The left-hander smashed 61 off just 28 balls, hitting three fours and seven sixes. He raced to his half-century from only 20 balls, immediately putting Pakistan under pressure. The opening partnership did not last long, though. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had already entertained the crowd with two early sixes before falling for 15, while Sanju Samson was dismissed soon afterwards. But Abhishek kept attacking and India quickly crossed 100. His dismissal eventually gave Pakistan some control, but India still had plenty left in the tank.
Tilak Varma provides the perfect finish
After Abhishek's departure, Tilak Varma took responsibility for finishing the innings. Tilak produced an outstanding 51 not out from only 22 balls, including four sixes and three boundaries. He found the boundary repeatedly during the closing overs and made sure India finished with a huge score. Shivam Dube's 27 off 15 balls also proved important as India added 62 runs during a crucial five-over partnership with Tilak. India eventually reached 211/6, their highest total of the men's Asian Games tournament. Pakistan therefore needed 212 runs for the gold medal.
Pakistan fight back through Hasan Nawaz
The chase did not begin the way Pakistan would have wanted.
Pakistan slipped to 39/3, putting India firmly in control. But Hasan Nawaz refused to give up.
The Pakistan opener produced a sensational counter-attacking innings, smashing 96 from 51 balls with five fours and seven sixes.
He found an excellent partner in Saim Ayub, and the pair added 87 runs for the fourth wicket, bringing Pakistan back into the contest.
For a while, the chase looked genuinely possible.
Hasan continued attacking as the required run rate climbed, and Pakistan reached the final overs with a chance of pulling off one of the biggest chases in Asian Games cricket.
But India's bowlers held their nerve.
Axar Patel took 2/29, Washington Sundar finished with 2/29 and Shivam Dube claimed 2/33, keeping Pakistan just far enough behind the required rate.
Gold slipped away on the final ball
Pakistan needed 33 runs from the final two overs, leaving them with a mountain to climb. India brought back Jasprit Bumrah for the penultimate over, and although Pakistan managed 11 runs, the equation remained extremely difficult. Pakistan needed 22 from the final over. Hasan Nawaz continued swinging, but the target was simply too big. He was eventually dismissed off the final ball of the innings for 96, leaving Pakistan on 192/6. India had won by 19 runs. The Pakistan batter had come within four runs of a memorable century, but India's disciplined bowling had done enough to secure the gold.
India defend Asian Games cricket title
The victory means India are now back-to-back Asian Games men's cricket champions, following their gold-medal victory at Hangzhou in 2023. It is another major achievement for India's T20 setup, with the side entering the final as the reigning T20 world champions and now adding another international title to that record. For Pakistan, it was silver after a spirited chase led by Hasan Nawaz. The final also marked another major India-Pakistan cricket encounter on neutral ground. There were no traditional handshakes between the captains at the toss, continuing the recent pattern surrounding meetings between the two sides. But once the match began, the cricket itself provided the headline.
India had the explosive start through Abhishek Sharma, the finishing power of Tilak Varma and enough bowling discipline to survive Hasan Nawaz's extraordinary assault.
India 211/6 (20 overs)
Abhishek Sharma 61 (28)
Tilak Varma 51* (22)
Arafat Minhas 2/25
Pakistan 192/6 (20 overs)
Hasan Nawaz 96 (51)
Saim Ayub 29 (22)
Axar Patel 2/29
Washington Sundar 2/29
Shivam Dube 2/33
India won by 19 runs and retained the Asian Games men's cricket gold medal.
