Team India, led by Shreyas Iyer, defeated their arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asian Games 2026 gold medal clash at the Karogi Athletic Park in Nisshin on Saturday, October 3, to successfully defend their title.
With this victory, both India men’s and women’s teams matched the feat from Hangzhou 2023. Notably, the Indian women’s team had earlier defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the gold medal match on Tuesday, September 22.
Delving into the details of the Gold Medal Match between India and Pakistan, the Men in Blue batted first and posted a whopping total of 211/6 in 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma was the top scorer with 61 off 28, including three fours and seven sixes. Tilak Varma also shone with 51* off 22, including three fours and four sixes.
In the chase, Pakistan, led by Sahibzada Farhan, scored 192/6 in 20 overs, losing by 19 runs. Hasan Nawaz was the wrecker-in-chief with a 96-run knock off 51 balls with five fours and seven sixes. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube scalped two wickets apiece.
ICC Chairman Jay Shah was present at the medal presentation ceremony. The bronze medal was presented to the Sri Lankan players, while Pakistan players received their silver medal and Indian players their gold medal. India’s national anthem was played as the tricolour flag was hoisted on the pole. The three teams, along with the dignitaries, lined up for the photographs.
Asian Games 2026 final, brief scores: India 211/6 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 61, Tilak Varma 51 not out; Arafat Minhas 2/25, Ahmed Daniyal 2/43) beat Pakistan 192/6 in 20 overs (Hasan Nawaz 96; Axar Patel 2/29, Washington Sundar 2/29, Shivam Dube 2/33) by 19 runs.
Gold Medal Winners in Men’s Cricket in the Asian Games:
2010 – Bangladesh
2014 – Sri Lanka
2023 – India
2026 – India
