India successfully defended their Asian Games cricket crown on Saturday, defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in a gripping final at Korogi Sports Park in Nagoya, Japan, despite a breathtaking unbeaten 96 from Pakistan’s Hasan Nawaz.
Chasing a formidable target of 212, Pakistan’s campaign began with promise but unraveled through a devastating middle-order collapse that left them at 39 for three within seven overs. The Green Shirts finished at 192 for six, falling agonizingly short of glory in front of a small but intensely passionate crowd.
Pakistan’s opening pair of Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat provided a steady foundation with a 33-run partnership before India’s spinners turned the match decisively. Washington Sundar struck first, removing captain Farhan for just 10, before Axar Patel dismissed Usman Khan for three. When Axar claimed Maaz Sadaqat for 23, Pakistan’s hopes appeared to be slipping away rapidly.
What followed was a stunning fightback. Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz combined for a crucial 87-run stand that reignited Pakistan’s challenge. Nawaz, continuing his outstanding tournament form, reached his third Twenty20 International half-century with characteristic aggression, striking the ball with power and precision.
But India’s bowlers refused to surrender control. Shivam Dube broke the dangerous partnership by dismissing Saim for 29, and Washington Sundar returned to remove Abdul Samad for nine, leaving Pakistan at 162 for five with just over two overs remaining.
Needing 33 runs from the final over, Pakistan’s task had become nearly impossible. Nawaz fought valiantly to the end, finishing with a magnificent 96 from 51 deliveries that included five fours and seven sixes, but his heroics could not prevent India from claiming gold.
Earlier, India had set the imposing target after electing to bat first. Openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma launched a blistering assault, racing to 28 before Saim Ayub provided Pakistan’s first breakthrough.
Abhishek continued his explosive innings, smashing 61 from just 28 balls with three fours and seven sixes before Arafat Minhas finally ended his rampage. His innings propelled India past fifty in just four overs.
After a brief rebuilding phase through Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan, India accelerated again in the closing stages. Tilak Varma took command in the final overs, hammering consecutive sixes and finishing unbeaten on 51 from 22 balls. Shivam Dube contributed a rapid 27 as India posted 211 for six, the highest total of the tournament.
Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to contain the onslaught, with Ahmed Daniyal and Arafat Minhas taking two wickets each, while Abrar Ahmed and Saim Ayub claimed one apiece.
For India, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Shivam Dube each took two wickets to seal the 19-run victory and retain their Asian Games title.
The defeat marks another painful chapter in Pakistan’s recent encounters with their arch-rivals in major tournaments, despite individual brilliance from players like Hasan Nawaz whose extraordinary effort deserved a winning cause.
