India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to retain Asian Games cricket gold
India retained their Asian Games men's cricket gold with a 19-run win over Pakistan, completing a double after the women's team's earlier triumph.
India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games men's cricket final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday. Abhishek Sharma scored 61 off 28 balls and Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 51 off 22 as India posted 211 for six. Shivam Dube contributed 27 off 15.
Pakistan slipped to 39 for three inside six overs before Hasan Nawaz's 96 off 51 balls gave them hope. Axar Patel took two for 29 and Washington Sundar finished with two for 29 as India defended the target. Shivam Dube took the final wicket when he dismissed Nawaz with the last ball.
The victory marked India's second consecutive Asian Games gold in men's cricket after their win at Hangzhou in 2023. The women's team had already secured gold earlier in the week, completing a historic double for Indian cricket at the continental event.
CricHubb Take
The margin was comfortable but the middle overs showed how quickly control can slip when wrist spin is treated with respect; Pakistan's problem is not talent but the absence of enough players who can sustain pressure across formats.