India completed an Asian Games cricket gold double on Saturday, beating Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s final to retain the title they won at Hangzhou 2022.
India posted 211 for six from their 20 overs before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six at Korogi Athletic Park.
Abhishek Sharma drove India’s innings with 61 from 28 balls, hitting seven sixes and three fours. Tilak Varma added an unbeaten 51 from 22 deliveries as India set Pakistan a target of 212.
Pakistan slipped to 39 for three during the chase before Hasan Nawaz revived their hopes with 96 from 51 balls. His innings included seven sixes and five fours, but Pakistan could not close the remaining gap.
India’s spinners Axar Patel and Washington Sundar took two wickets each as Pakistan finished 19 runs short.
The result gave India a second consecutive men’s Asian Games cricket gold after their triumph at Hangzhou 2022.
It also completed a sweep of the cricket gold medals at Aichi-Nagoya. India’s women had earlier retained their Asian Games title by defeating Sri Lanka in the final.
With cricket scheduled to return to the Olympic programme at Los Angeles 2028, the Asian Games provided another major multi-sport stage for the T20 format ahead of its Olympic return.
