NISSHIN (Japan): India has set Pakistan a target of 212 runs after scoring 211 for six in 20 overs in the men’s cricket gold-medal final at the 2026 Asian Games at Korogi Sports Park on Saturday.
Abhishek Sharma struck 61 off 28 balls, with three fours and seven sixes, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 51 off 22 deliveries, hitting three fours and four sixes. Shivam Dube contributed 27 off 15 balls. India recovered from a middle-overs slowdown to set Pakistan a target of 212.
India won the toss and chose to bat. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 15 and Abhishek Sharma provided a strong start. Pakistan’s spinners, led by Arafat Minhas (two wickets) and Ahmed Daniyal, restricted the scoring rate in the middle phase. Captain Shreyas Iyer made 21 and Ishan Kishan scored 20. Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube then added 62 runs in 31 balls for the sixth wicket. Pakistan conceded 13 extras, including 11 wides.
Pakistan began their chase with openers Maaz Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan at the crease.
This marks the first India-Pakistan final in Asian Games cricket. India defend the title they won in Hangzhou in 2023. The Indian women’s team had already secured gold earlier in these Games. A win would give India their second successive men’s gold and fourth overall cricket gold at the Asian Games.
Pakistan seek their first gold after winning bronze in the 2010 edition. Both teams advanced to the semi-finals after rain abandoned their quarter-finals; higher seeding decided the outcomes. India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semi-final, while Pakistan beat Bangladesh in a rain-affected match.
All matches follow the Twenty20 format. The four top-ranked full-member teams received byes into the quarter-finals. The remaining six teams played a preliminary group stage. Rain has affected several matches. Tournament rules state that the two finalists will share the gold medal if the final is abandoned.
India have won gold in both men’s and women’s events since their Asian Games cricket debut in 2023. Pakistan hold two women’s titles from previous editions but await a men’s gold.
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