Nagoya, Japan, October 3, 2026: The T20 cricket tournament at the 20thAsian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 came to a swashbuckling conclusion at Korogi Athletic Park on Saturday, October 3.
Batting first, defending champions India amassed 211 for six in their 20 overs.
This left Pakistan needing to score at more than 10 runs per over to have a chance of winning gold; despite a gallant attempt that silenced the mass of flag-waving India fans in the temporary stands for long periods, Pakistan finished on 192 for six.
This gave victory to India by 19 runs – and a second straight gold medal after previously winning at Hangzhou 2022.
India’s formidable total was built around half-centuries by Abhishek Sharma, who blasted seven 6s and three 4s in his 28-ball 61, and Tilak Varma, who smashed four 6s and three boundaries in his unbeaten 51 off 22 balls.
Pakistan were soon in trouble in the chase, slipping to 39-3 and, despite a superb knock of 96 from Hasan Nawaz, they came up well short.
Nawaz blasted seven 6s and five boundaries in his commendable innings, which raised the hopes of the Pakistani fans in the run chase and resulted in the Indian flags only re-emerging in the last over when Pakistan’s task became impossible.
The final was a marvellous spectacle, with the sun shining and spectators filling the stands. The noise coming from the stands was also memorable, setting the scene for a rowdy T20 cricket competition at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
The victory completed a double gold for India in cricket, with the women’s team also winning gold at the Asian Games. It also marked another memorable chapter in India-Pakistan cricket encounters on the international stage.
