India secured the gold medal in the men’s cricket T20 event at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, with a 19-run victory over Pakistan on Saturday. The defending champions posted their highest total against Pakistan in the format, reaching 211 for six, powered by half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 runs, and Tilak Varma, who remained unbeaten at 51. Pakistan responded with a competitive 192 for six, largely due to Hasan Nawaz’s 96 runs off 51 balls, but ultimately fell short as disciplined Indian bowling curtailed their chase.

Sharma’s innings was marked by aggressive strokeplay, including seven sixes and three fours, though he benefited from some fielding lapses by Pakistan, being dropped twice and narrowly surviving a run-out chance. Despite this, he was eventually stumped after facing 28 balls. Varma and Shivam Dube contributed vital runs toward the end of the innings, combining for 57 runs in the final three overs.

Pakistan’s bowling strategy included five specialist bowlers complemented by the off-spin of Saim Ayub. However, the early introduction of part-time bowler Saad Masood in the second over allowed Sharma to dominate, particularly in a 24-run over featuring three sixes and a boundary. Pakistan’s fielding errors and untidy execution further hindered their position.

During the chase, Pakistan struggled initially against India’s pace attack, with Jasprit Bumrah’s yorkers gaining early breakthroughs. The dismissal of Maaz Sadaqat, caught by Washington Sundar in a difficult catch at deep fine leg, left Pakistan at 39 for three in the seventh over. Nawaz’s fluent batting, with seven sixes and five fours, kept Pakistan competitive. However, spinners Axar Patel and Sundar each took two wickets, and Dube added two more, including Nawaz’s dismissal on the final ball, ultimately preventing Pakistan from overtaking the target.

This match marked India’s seventh consecutive T20 win over Pakistan and the fifth consecutive men’s match between the two sides where players refrained from the customary handshake both at the toss and after the game. Notably, India’s captain Shreyas Iyer did not exchange handshakes with Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan. ICC Chairman Jay Shah attended the final.

Contrastingly, in other sports events at the Asian Games such as field hockey, players from India and Pakistan were seen shaking hands and embracing each other following matches, including India’s victory over Pakistan in the hockey semifinals.