India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games cricket final to defend their gold medal, with Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma starring with the bat
New Delhi: India retained their Asian Games cricket gold medal after defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in a thrilling final on Saturday, with Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma leading the batting charge before the bowlers sealed the victory.
Batting first, India posted 211/6 in 20 overs. Abhishek smashed 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak remained unbeaten on 51 from 22 deliveries. India made a flying start, racing to 28 runs in the first two overs, before Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell for 15.
Abhishek continued his assault, reaching his half-century from just 20 balls before departing for 61. Pakistan fought back during the middle overs, reducing India to 114/3 after 10 overs and removing Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer in quick succession.
Tilak and Shivam Dube then accelerated towards the finish. Dube scored 27 off 15 balls, while Tilak’s unbeaten fifty helped India cross 210.
Pakistan’s chase was powered by Hasan Nawaz, who smashed 96 and kept the contest alive. However, Jasprit Bumrah produced a crucial penultimate over as India tightened their grip. Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Dube took two wickets each as Pakistan finished on 192/6.
India’s 19-run win secured their second successive Asian Games cricket gold.
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