India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in Asian Games final to win gold

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the final of the Asian Games 2026 to win the gold medal. In the high-voltage match played at the Korogi Sports Park in Japan, India were strong with both bat and ball. This is India's 19th gold medal.

Captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bat first. Openers Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma made an aggressive start. Suryavanshi was out after scoring 15 off 9 balls, hitting 2 sixes in his short innings.

Abhishek Sharma then attacked the Pakistan bowlers. He played a blistering knock of 61 off just 28 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes. His innings laid the foundation for a big score.

After Abhishek's dismissal, no big partnership developed in the middle order. Sanju Samson scored 2 off 4 balls. Captain Shreyas Iyer contributed 21 off 24 balls, while Ishan Kishan made 20 off 18 balls.

Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube gave the innings momentum in the final overs. Dube made 27 off 15 balls, with 2 fours and 2 sixes. Varma returned unbeaten on 51 off 22 balls, with 3 fours and 4 sixes. India scored 211 for 6 in 20 overs, setting Pakistan a target of 212.

Chasing 212, Pakistan did not get the start they hoped for. Captain Sahibzada Farhan was out for 10. Maaz Sadaqat made 23, Usman Khan returned after scoring just 3, Saim Ayub contributed 29 and Abdul Samad was out for 9.

Hasan Nawaz put up a fine fight for Pakistan, playing an explosive innings of 96 off 51 balls with 5 fours and 7 sixes. But he did not get full support from the other batters, and Pakistan could not reach the target India set.

The Indian bowlers kept up the pressure on the Pakistan batters at the decisive moments. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar played a key role with 2 wickets each. India finally won by 19 runs to take the gold medal, while Pakistan had to settle for silver. The win has brought joy to sports fans.