India win toss and make flying start against Pakistan in Asian Games final
India win toss and make flying start against Pakistan in Asian Games final
India won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the Asian Games cricket final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday, then backed the call with a blistering start.
The decision, taken by captain Shreyas Iyer, looked justified within minutes. India raced to 81 for two in the powerplay, with Abhishek Sharma smashing an unbeaten 52 off 20 balls, including three fours and six sixes.
Abhishek’s assault lights up the Asian Games cricket final
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell for 15 to Saim Ayub and Sanju Samson managed only two before Ahmed Daniyal removed him, but the wickets barely slowed India down. Sharma took the attack to Pakistan’s bowlers from the outset, and Iyer was unbeaten on three as the powerplay closed with India firmly on top.
The start continued India’s dominance with the bat in the tournament. In the semi-final they posted 169 for seven against Sri Lanka, powered by Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 80 off 46 balls, before bowling Sri Lanka out for 45 to win by 124 runs.
One change for Pakistan, no handshake at the toss
Pakistan made one change to their side, bringing in all-rounder Saad Masood for fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr. Masood was handed his T20 international debut in the biggest match of his young career.
India named an unchanged eleven from their semi-final victory. The two captains did not shake hands at the toss, continuing a trend seen in recent meetings between the sides.
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan (wk), Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Saad Masood, Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Moqim.
India: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer (capt), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi and Jasprit Bumrah.
First Asian Games meeting between the rivals
The final marks the first-ever meeting between India and Pakistan in men’s cricket at the Asian Games, adding another chapter to one of sport’s fiercest rivalries.
The sides have met 17 times in T20 internationals, with India winning 13, Pakistan three, and one match ending in a tie. India have won the last five encounters between the two teams.
Pakistan reached the final with a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in a rain-affected semi-final. In a contest reduced to 13 overs a side, Bangladesh made 111 for seven before Pakistan chased the target down in 11.3 overs, with Abdul Samad unbeaten on 30 off 15 balls and Hasan Nawaz 27 not out.
India are the defending Asian Games champions, having won gold in both the men’s and women’s competitions at Hangzhou 2023.
FAQs
Who won the toss in the India-Pakistan Asian Games final?
India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to bat first against Pakistan in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026.
What was India’s score in the powerplay?
India reached 81 for two in the first six overs, with Abhishek Sharma unbeaten on 52 off 20 balls.
Have India and Pakistan met before at the Asian Games?
No. The 2026 final is the first meeting between the two sides in men’s cricket at the Asian Games.
