India thump Sri Lanka, will face Pakistan for Asian Games cricket gold

NAGOYA: World champions India will face arch-rivals Pakistan for the Asian Games cricket men's gold medal after both secured victories in their semi-finals on Thursday. India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs, while Pakistan outplayed Bangladesh by six wickets, setting the stage for a thrilling final on Saturday at the Korogi Athletic Park Stadium in Nagoya.

India scored 169-7 on a pitch that turned sharply, while Sri Lanka fell to their lowest total in a men's T20 international at 45 all out in less than 10 overs, characterized by three run-outs. The youthful Indian opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, making his Asian Games debut, scored a blistering 38 off just 21 balls, including six fours and two huge sixes before being caught at backward point.

Captain Ishan Kishan anchored India's innings with a composed 80 not out, featuring five sixes. Sri Lanka's batsmen struggled as Jasprit Bumrah claimed two wickets in his maiden over, and the team's decline became evident as spinner Axar Patel claimed two more wickets, followed by a crucial run out. Nuwanidu Fernando started confidently with two sixes off Washington Sundar, only to get run out immediately after.

The collapse came swiftly, with the final three wickets falling in just three deliveries. In Pakistan's semi-final win against Bangladesh, 15-year-old opener Samad maintained composure, scoring an unbeaten 30 off 15 balls as his team chased down Bangladesh's 111-7 in style.