India beat Pakistan to win Asian Games cricket gold

India secured the gold medal in the men's cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final earlier today.

Winning the toss and batting first, India posted a formidable total of 211 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Opening batsman Abhishek Sharma set a blistering pace with a rapid 61 off just 28 deliveries, featuring six sixes and three boundaries. Towards the end of the innings, Tilak Varma delivered an explosive knock, remaining unbeaten on 51 off 22 balls with four sixes and three threes, while Shivam Dube contributed 27 runs from 15 balls to bolster the total. Bowling for Pakistan, Arafat Minhas and Ahmed Daniial claimed two wickets apiece.

Chasing a target of 212, Pakistan managed 192 for 6 in their 20 overs. Hassan Nawaz played a brilliant innings of 96 off 51 balls, hitting seven sixes and five boundaries, but his efforts fell short of steering his side to victory. For India, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Shivam Dube picked up two wickets each to seal the championship.

Earlier in the day, the Sri Lankan team secured the bronze medal by defeating Bangladesh.