Gold again! Tilak Varma shines as India beat Pakistan in Asian Games thriller

NISSHIN: India retained the gold medal in the Asian Games men's cricket final by defeating Pakistan by 19 runs. In a thrilling contest held at the Korogi Sports Park, India batted first and scored 211 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs. In reply, Pakistan could only manage 192 runs for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs.

India won the toss and elected to bat. Opener Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start with a blistering half-century off just 20 balls; he was eventually dismissed after scoring 61 runs off 28 balls. Subsequently, India crossed the 200-run mark thanks to Tilak Varma's explosive batting; he remained unbeaten on 51 off 22 balls. Shivam Dube also contributed 27 runs off 14 balls.

Hasan Nawaz waged a lone battle for Pakistan as they chased a target of 212 runs. Scoring 96 off 51 balls, Nawaz posed a significant challenge to the Indian bowlers. For India, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube claimed two wickets each. Pakistan needed 33 runs to win in the final over; Shivam Dube, who bowled the over, steered India to victory.

With this victory, India secured the men's cricket gold medal at the Asian Games for the second consecutive time. India had also emerged as champions at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. This also marks India's 19th gold medal at this edition of the Asian Games.