India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men's T20 cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games in Nisshin, Japan, to retain their Asian Games gold medal. India won 211/6 after batting first and then limited Pakistan to 192/6.
The victory also completed a cricket gold-medal double for India, after the Indian women’s team had earlier won gold in the tournament.
Abhishek Sharma Sets the tone.
After winning the toss, India chose to bat first and got off to an explosive start. Abhishek Sharma scored 61 runs from 28 balls, scoring seven sixes and three fours.
His aggressive knock helped India score heavily during the powerplay and put Pakistan under early pressure. Abhishek scored his half-century in just 20 balls, which made India the perfect start in the high-pressure final.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 15 before being dismissed, while Sanju Samson could manage only two runs. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer also contributed useful knocks before falling.
Tilak Varma Finishes With a Bang
India needed a strong finish with wickets falling at regular intervals. Tilak Varma did it in style by hitting 51 off just 22 balls.
Varma hit four sixes and three fours as India crossed the 200-run mark and finished with 211/6 in 20 overs. Shivam Dube also made a cameo with 27 from 15 balls.
India's 211 was the highest total of the tournament and gave Pakistan a target of 212.
Hasan Nawaz Gives Pakistan Hope
Pakistan's chase did not begin as strong as India's innings. India's bowlers kept the pressure on and made it difficult for Pakistan to score freely.
Hasan Nawaz produced a sensational counter-attack. He kept Pakistan’s hopes alive with a strong 96-run innings and Saim Ayub added 29. Their partnership did briefly bring Pakistan back in the game.
India's bowlers eventually took control again. Axar Patel, Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar played a crucial role in breaking Pakistan's momentum.
Pakistan finished at 192/6 and 19 runs short of India’s target.
India Retain Asian Games Cricket Gold.
The 19-run win means India has successfully defended their men's Asian Games cricket gold medal. And a second chapter in the rivalry with Pakistan is added to the story.
With Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma’s explosive batting and disciplined bowling at the end of the day, India held their nerve when it mattered and won the men’s cricket gold medal in the 2026 Asian Games.