India beat Pakistan to win second Asian Games gold medal in men's cricket

Dubai, October 3, 2026 - India triumphed over Pakistan in the men's cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games, securing their second consecutive gold medal and their 81st medal overall, as well as their 19th gold medal at the Games. The match took place at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, and marked the first encounter between the two teams in Asian Games history.

India, the defending champions from the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, opted to bat first and posted a competitive total of 211/6 in their 20 overs. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 15 runs before being dismissed, while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 51 runs. Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz led the charge with an impressive score of 96 runs, including five fours and seven sixes off 51 deliveries.

Despite Pakistan's strong performance from Nawaz, India's bowling attack, featuring Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, and Washington Sundar, managed to contain the opposition, with Ravi Bishnoi being the sole bowler to struggle. India's victory adds to their impressive haul at the 2026 Asian Games, bringing their total medal count to 81, including 19 gold medals.