Nisshin, 03 October (H.S.): Hasan Nawaz’s magnificent unbeaten 96 off 51 balls could not prevent Pakistan from suffering defeat as India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s T20 cricket gold-medal match at Korogi Sports Park on Saturday to clinch the gold medal. With the victory, India completed a gold-medal double in cricket at the Asian Games. Earlier, the Indian women’s team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, had defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs to win gold.

Batting first, India posted 211 for six in 20 overs, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s 61 and Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 51. In reply, Pakistan managed 192 for six despite a spectacular innings from Hasan Nawaz.

Chasing a target of 212, Pakistan made a poor start. Jasprit Bumrah conceded 11 runs, including two no-balls, in the opening over, but Washington Sundar gave India the breakthrough in the third over by dismissing Sahibzada Farhan for 10 off 11 balls. Pakistan were 33 for one after 3.4 overs.

Axar Patel then dismissed Usman Khan for three in the fourth over. He struck again with the first ball of the seventh over, sending Maaz Sadaqat back for 23 off 18 balls. Pakistan had slipped to 39 for three after 6.1 overs.

Hasan and Saim Steady Pakistan’s Innings

Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub then steadied the Pakistan innings. Both batters adopted an aggressive approach against the spinners. Hasan hit two consecutive sixes off Ravi Bishnoi in the 10th over. At the end of 10 overs, Pakistan were 76 for three.

In the 11th over, Saim Ayub struck two boundaries off Abhishek Sharma. Hasan then hit two sixes and a four in a Bishnoi over, increasing the pressure on India. Pakistan reached the 100-run mark in 12.2 overs.

Shivam Dube Provides Crucial Breakthrough

Shivam Dube ended an 87-run partnership in the 14th over by dismissing Saim Ayub for 29 off 22 balls, with Washington Sundar taking the catch. Pakistan were 126 for four after 14.1 overs.

Hasan Nawaz continued his attacking approach. He hit a six off Axar Patel and then struck three consecutive boundaries off Shivam Dube in the 17th over. Pakistan needed 52 runs from the final 18 balls, with Hasan on 79 off 40 balls, including five fours and five sixes.

Washington Sundar dismissed Abdul Samad for nine with the third ball of the 17th over, giving India their fifth breakthrough. Pakistan were 162 for five after 17.3 overs.

Pakistan maintained their attacking approach during the final overs. Saad Masood hit sixes off Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah. Pakistan needed 33 runs before the final over began, but the Indian bowlers held their nerve and kept the pressure on. Pakistan finished on 192 for six in 20 overs.

Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 96 off 51 balls. For India, Washington Sundar took two wickets for 29 runs, Axar Patel claimed two for 29, and Shivam Dube finished with two wickets for 33 runs.

Abhishek and Tilak’s Half-Centuries Take India to 211

Earlier, India scored 211 for six in 20 overs after being put in to bat in the men’s T20 cricket final against Pakistan at the Asian Games 2026. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma struck impressive half-centuries to guide India to a formidable total.

India made a flying start. Openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma plundered 24 runs from Pakistan spinner Saad Masood’s over in the second over. However, all-rounder Saim Ayub dismissed Vaibhav in the following over. Vaibhav scored 15 off nine balls, including two sixes.

Abhishek then smashed a six and two consecutive fours off Saim Ayub to take India to 43. With the fifth ball of the fourth over, Pakistan fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal dismissed wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for two. India were 63 for two after five overs.

Abhishek completed his half-century in just 20 balls against Ahmed Daniyal with the final delivery of the sixth over. India finished the powerplay at 81 for two. It was also India’s highest powerplay score against Pakistan in T20 internationals. Earlier, India had scored 69 without loss in the Super Four stage of the 2025 Asia Cup in Dubai. In that match, Abhishek had completed his half-century in 24 balls, which had previously been India’s fastest fifty against Pakistan.

Arafat Minhas ended Abhishek’s outstanding innings with the fifth ball of the eighth over. Abhishek was stumped for 61 off 28 balls, having hit seven sixes and three fours. India were 114 for three after 10 overs.

Minhas claimed his second wicket with the first ball of the 14th over, bowling Ishan Kishan for 20 off 18 balls. Ishan struck three fours. With the first ball of the 15th over, Abrar Ahmed dismissed Indian captain Shreyas Iyer for 21. Shreyas faced 24 balls and hit two fours. India were 142 for five after 16 overs.

Tilak Varma brought up India’s 172 in the 18th over, hitting a four and two consecutive sixes off Sufiyan Muqeem. In the following over, Tilak and Shivam Dube collected 23 runs off Saim Ayub to take India to 195.

Ahmed Daniyal dismissed Shivam Dube with the first ball of the 20th over. Dube scored 27 off 15 balls, including two fours and two sixes. Tilak then struck two consecutive sixes and completed his half-century in just 21 balls with the fifth delivery, taking India beyond the 200-run mark.

Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 51 off 22 balls, with his innings comprising three fours and four sixes.

For Pakistan, Ahmed Daniyal took two wickets for 43 runs, while Arafat Minhas claimed two for 25. Saim Ayub took one wicket for 47 runs and Abrar Ahmed one for 29.

With this victory, India secured its 81st medal at the Asian Games, taking its tally to 19 gold, 26 silver and 36 bronze medals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar