India defended their Asian Games men’s cricket title by defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the gold-medal match, thanks to explosive innings from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma.
Choosing to bat first, India posted 211-6. Abhishek powered his way to 61 off just 28 balls, striking seven sixes, and helped the defending champions reach 81-2 by the end of the powerplay before he was dismissed in the eighth over.
Tilak then maintained India’s momentum with an unbeaten 51 from 22 deliveries, hitting three fours and four sixes as the innings closed on a high.
Pakistan’s chase ran into trouble early, falling to 39-3. Hasan Nawaz kept his side in contention with a brave 96, including seven sixes, but he received little support and was out on the final ball as Pakistan finished on 192-6.
India’s bowling effort was shared around: spinners Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took 2-29, while Shivam Dube claimed 2-33.
Having won gold on their men’s cricket debut in Hangzhou four years ago, India have now secured consecutive Asian Games titles.
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