India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to retain Asian Games cricket gold

India defended their Asian Games cricket gold medal with a 19-run win over Pakistan in the men's T20 final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday. Abhishek Sharma scored 61 off 28 balls and Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 51 as India posted 211 for six after Shreyas Iyer won the toss and batted first.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made 15 off nine balls before he was caught behind attempting a reverse sweep off Saim Ayub. The Pakistan spinner celebrated with a baby-cradle gesture that drew attention on social media, though the Indian batters did not respond on the field.

Pakistan could not match the required rate and finished short. The result leaves India as defending champions and gives the 15-year-old Sooryavanshi the distinction of becoming the youngest Indian gold medallist at the Asian Games.