Key Highlights
- Gold retained: India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games men's cricket final at Karogi Sports Park, Nisshin.
- Batting blitz: Abhishek Sharma hit 61 off 28, the fastest fifty by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is; Tilak Varma made an unbeaten 51 off 22.
- Big total: India posted 211/6; Pakistan finished on 192/6 despite Hasan Nawaz's 96 off 51.
- Last-ball finish: Shivam Dube dismissed Nawaz on the final ball.
- PM's wishes: PM Modi called the win "a joyous occasion for the nation."
India have defended their Asian Games men's cricket title, beating arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs in the final at Karogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team. "The gold comes to India yet again! Congratulations to our Men's Cricket Team on retaining their title at the Asian Games. This is indeed a joyous occasion for the nation," he said.
Why It Matters: The Final That Never Happened, Finally Happened
This gold carries a special meaning. At Hangzhou in 2023, India's first appearance at the Asian Games, the final against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain with Afghanistan on 112/5 after 18.2 overs, and India were awarded gold as the higher-seeded side.
That tournament also denied fans a dream final. Afghanistan upset Pakistan in the semi-finals, preventing an anticipated India–Pakistan title clash.
Three years later, India not only played the final in full, they won it against Pakistan in a high-scoring thriller. It is a title earned entirely on the field.
How the Final Unfolded
| Team | Score | Key performers |
|---|---|---|
| India | 211/6 | Abhishek Sharma 61 (28), Tilak Varma 51* (22) |
| Pakistan | 192/6 | Hasan Nawaz 96 (51) |
Abhishek set the tone with the fastest fifty by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is, before Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube provided a late surge to push India past 200.
Pakistan fought hard, led by Hasan Nawaz's brilliant 96 off 51. But India's spinners and all-rounders, including Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Dube, held their nerve. Dube removed Nawaz on the last ball of the match, sealing the win and sparking wild celebrations.
Jay Shah Hails a "Proud New Chapter"
ICC chairman Jay Shah congratulated the team and praised the hosts. "Nagoya and Japan have written a proud new chapter in cricket's history. Congratulations to Team India on a campaign worthy of this moment," he wrote on X, thanking the competing nations, the Olympic Council of Asia, organisers and fans.
Part of a Golden Week
The cricket gold caps a memorable final week for India at Aichi-Nagoya, which also saw Neeru Dhanda's historic double gold in shooting, Lovlina Borgohain's birthday gold in boxing and the women's compound archery team's world-record-equalling win.
The Bottom Line
In 2023, rain handed India the gold. In 2026, they won it the hard way, against Pakistan, with bat and ball, down to the final delivery.
With inputs from IANS.
Key Highlights
- Gold retained: India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games men's cricket final at Karogi Sports Park, Nisshin.
- Batting blitz: Abhishek Sharma hit 61 off 28, the fastest fifty by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is; Tilak Varma made an unbeaten 51 off 22.
- Big total: India posted 211/6; Pakistan finished on 192/6 despite Hasan Nawaz's 96 off 51.
- Last-ball finish: Shivam Dube dismissed Nawaz on the final ball.
- PM's wishes: PM Modi called the win "a joyous occasion for the nation."
India have defended their Asian Games men's cricket title, beating arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs in the final at Karogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the team. "The gold comes to India yet again! Congratulations to our Men's Cricket Team on retaining their title at the Asian Games. This is indeed a joyous occasion for the nation," he said.
Why It Matters: The Final That Never Happened, Finally Happened
This gold carries a special meaning. At Hangzhou in 2023, India's first appearance at the Asian Games, the final against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain with Afghanistan on 112/5 after 18.2 overs, and India were awarded gold as the higher-seeded side.
That tournament also denied fans a dream final. Afghanistan upset Pakistan in the semi-finals, preventing an anticipated India–Pakistan title clash.
Three years later, India not only played the final in full, they won it against Pakistan in a high-scoring thriller. It is a title earned entirely on the field.
How the Final Unfolded
| Team | Score | Key performers |
|---|---|---|
| India | 211/6 | Abhishek Sharma 61 (28), Tilak Varma 51* (22) |
| Pakistan | 192/6 | Hasan Nawaz 96 (51) |
Abhishek set the tone with the fastest fifty by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is, before Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube provided a late surge to push India past 200.
Pakistan fought hard, led by Hasan Nawaz's brilliant 96 off 51. But India's spinners and all-rounders, including Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Dube, held their nerve. Dube removed Nawaz on the last ball of the match, sealing the win and sparking wild celebrations.
Jay Shah Hails a "Proud New Chapter"
ICC chairman Jay Shah congratulated the team and praised the hosts. "Nagoya and Japan have written a proud new chapter in cricket's history. Congratulations to Team India on a campaign worthy of this moment," he wrote on X, thanking the competing nations, the Olympic Council of Asia, organisers and fans.
Part of a Golden Week
The cricket gold caps a memorable final week for India at Aichi-Nagoya, which also saw Neeru Dhanda's historic double gold in shooting, Lovlina Borgohain's birthday gold in boxing and the women's compound archery team's world-record-equalling win.
The Bottom Line
In 2023, rain handed India the gold. In 2026, they won it the hard way, against Pakistan, with bat and ball, down to the final delivery.
With inputs from IANS.