Asian Games 2026: Abhishek, Tilak Fifties Power India to 211/6 Against Pakistan in Gold Medal Final

Nisshin, Japan, October 3, 2026: India posted a commanding 211/6 in 20 overs against Pakistan in the men’s T20 cricket gold medal match at the 2026 Asian Games on Saturday, riding explosive half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma.

India, who won the toss and elected to bat, made an aggressive start through openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma. The pair added 24 runs in the second over before Sooryavanshi was dismissed by Saim Ayub for 15 off nine balls.

Abhishek continued his attacking approach and reached his half-century off just 20 balls, helping India finish the powerplay at 81/2. According to the match report, it was India’s highest powerplay score against Pakistan in T20 internationals.

Abhishek’s innings came to an end in the eighth over when Arafat Minhas stumped him for a blistering 61 off 28 balls, with seven sixes and three fours.

India subsequently lost Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan and captain Shreyas Iyer, but continued to maintain a strong scoring rate. Kishan made 20 off 18 balls, while Iyer scored 21 off 24.

Tilak Varma Finishes in Style

With India at 142/5 after 16 overs, Tilak Varma accelerated the scoring in the closing overs.

Varma struck a four and two sixes in the 18th over before combining with Shivam Dube to add 23 runs in the following over.

Dube was dismissed by Ahmed Daniyal on the first ball of the final over after scoring 27 off 15 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

Varma then took charge, smashing two consecutive sixes before completing his half-century off just 21 balls. He remained unbeaten on 51 from 22 deliveries, with three fours and four sixes.

India finished on 211/6, setting Pakistan a target of 212 for the gold medal.

Pakistan Bowling

For Pakistan, Ahmed Daniyal and Arafat Minhas took two wickets each. Daniyal finished with figures of 2/43, while Minhas returned 2/25.

Saim Ayub claimed one wicket for 47 runs, while Abrar Ahmed took one for 29.

India entered the final as the defending Asian Games champions after winning gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. Pakistan reached the final after defeating Bangladesh in a rain-reduced semi-final.

The 2026 final marks a gold-medal clash between the two sides at the Asian Games, with India looking to retain its title and Pakistan competing for its first men’s cricket gold at the Games.