India claimed the gold medal in the Asian Games cricket tournament after a tense 19-run victory over rivals Pakistan. The final, held at the Korogi Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, saw India defend a competitive total in front of a spirited crowd.
Opting to bat first, India posted a total of 211-6 in their allotted 20 overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi set the aggressive tone early by hitting consecutive sixes, though the 15-year-old was dismissed shortly after for 15. Opening partner Abhishek Sharma provided a significant boost, reaching his half-century in just 20 balls. Despite being dropped twice and surviving a missed run-out opportunity by bowler Ahmed Daniyal, Sharma contributed 61 runs before departing. After India chose to bat, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi announced his intention with back-to-back sixes in a second over from Saad Masood that cost 24 runs. But the 15-year-old batting sensation fell four balls later for 15. His opening partner Abhishek reached his fifty off 20 balls to a massive ovation from fans that had brought a touch of South Asian cricket fever to the Far East and Korogi Park Athletic Stadium. With Abhishek stranded, he should also have been run out on 46 when bowler Ahmed Daniyal’s throw missed both stumps and the wicketkeeper. After he went for 61, Ishan Kishan fell for 20 as the Pakistan bowlers began to regain control.
The innings faced a mid-game slump when Ishan Kishan (20) and captain Shreyas Iyer (21) fell, leaving India at 133-5 in the 15th over. A late surge from Tilak Varma, who finished unbeaten on 51, and Shivam Dube, who added 27, proved vital. The duo combined for 62 runs in the final five overs to push the total past 200. Putting on 62 in five overs for the sixth wicket as India soared past 200, but Tilak Varma hit four sixes and Shivam Dube (27) two more as the pair unleashed a late onslaught.
Pakistan’s pursuit of the target saw a strong individual performance from Hasan Nawaz. Despite the early loss of partners, Nawaz struck 96 off 51 balls, including seven sixes and five fours. His efforts kept Pakistan competitive until the final stages, as the side required 52 runs from the last three overs.
India’s bowling attack, led by the tactical return of Jasprit Bumrah in the penultimate over, restricted Pakistan to just 11 runs during that spell. With 33 needed in the final over, Dube sealed the win as Nawaz was dismissed on the final ball. Pakistan finished their innings at 192-6.
The match was played against a backdrop of long-standing political tensions, with both teams opting against pre-match handshakes. Following the victory, the Indian squad celebrated by parading their national flag around the field. And the captains refused the normal handshakes before the match, the neighbouring countries only meet in international tournaments and on neutral ground because of political tensions. The clash on a converted baseball field in Japan was new ground for even these bitter enemies and their hundreds of millions of fans who were watching back home on TV.
In the bronze medal match, Sri Lanka secured third place by defeating Bangladesh by 63 runs.
