India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win the gold medal in men’s cricket at the Asian Games 2026. The final was played in Nisshin, Japan, on Saturday, October 3. Pakistan’s Hasan Nawaz played a brilliant innings of 96 runs, but it was not enough. Here is the full story in simple words.
What Happened in the Match?
India batted first and scored a big total of 211 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs. Pakistan then scored 192 runs for 6 wickets. India won by 19 runs.
This was India’s second Asian Games gold medal in a row in men’s cricket. They also won gold at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023.
How India Scored 211 Runs
Two Indian batters shined with the bat:
- Abhishek Sharma scored 61 runs off just 28 balls.
- Tilak Varma stayed not out and scored 51 runs off 22 balls.
- Shivam Dube added 27 runs off 15 balls near the end.
This fast scoring helped India reach a big total of 211 runs.
Hasan Nawaz’s Brilliant Innings
Pakistan needed 212 runs to win. Hasan Nawaz played the best innings of the match for Pakistan. He scored 96 runs off only 51 balls. His innings had 5 fours and 7 sixes.
Nawaz reached his fifty in just 28 balls. He also added 87 runs together with Saim Ayub for one partnership, which kept Pakistan’s hopes alive.
In the final over, Pakistan needed too many runs. Shivam Dube bowled that last over and got Hasan Nawaz out on the very last ball, 4 runs short of a century. This ended the match and gave India the gold medal.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| India | 211/6 (20 overs) | Won |
| Pakistan | 192/6 (20 overs) | Lost by 19 runs |
India’s Bowlers Did Their Job
Three Indian bowlers took 2 wickets each: Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube. Together, they stopped Pakistan from reaching the target in the final overs.
Why This Win Matters for India
- It is India’s 19th gold medal at the Asian Games 2026.
- It is India’s second cricket gold medal of these Games. The Indian women’s cricket team also won gold earlier in the tournament.
- India now lead the head-to-head record against Pakistan in T20 cricket matches by 15 wins to 3.
- This is also India’s seventh win in a row against Pakistan in T20 International matches.
A Big Effort From Pakistan
Even though Pakistan lost, Hasan Nawaz’s innings of 96 runs was one of the best individual efforts of the tournament. His strike rate was 188.23, which means he scored very fast. Pakistan fought until the last ball but could not get enough runs at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Asian Games 2026 cricket final?
India won, beating Pakistan by 19 runs.
How many runs did Hasan Nawaz score?
Hasan Nawaz scored 96 runs off 51 balls, with 5 fours and 7 sixes.
What was the final score of the match?
India scored 211/6, and Pakistan scored 192/6 in 20 overs.
Who bowled the last over for India?
Shivam Dube bowled the final over and got Hasan Nawaz out on the last ball.
Is this India’s first Asian Games cricket gold?
No. This is India’s second gold medal in a row in men’s cricket at the Asian Games, after also winning in 2023 in Hangzhou.
Hasan Nawaz’s innings will be remembered as one of the great fighting knocks of the tournament, even in defeat. India, though, held their nerve in the final overs to take home the gold medal.
