India pile up 211 for 6 against Pakistan in Asian Games men's cricket final
India pile up 211 for 6 against Pakistan in Asian Games men’s cricket final
India set Pakistan a target of 212 runs to win the Asian Games cricket final after posting 211 for 6 in their 20 overs at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Saturday. Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 61 off 28 balls and Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 51 off 22 balls powered the defending champions to their commanding total in the gold medal match.
India captain Shreyas Iyer won the toss and chose to bat first. The decision paid off immediately as Abhishek launched an assault on Pakistan’s bowlers in the powerplay, racing to a 20-ball half-century.
Abhishek Sharma sets up India’s big total in the Asian Games cricket final
Abhishek reached his fifty in just 20 deliveries, finishing with 61 runs from 28 balls. His innings included three fours and seven sixes at a strike rate of 217.86. He was eventually stumped by Usman Khan off Arafat Minhas after dominating Pakistan’s attack.
India lost Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for 15 and Sanju Samson for 2 inside the first four overs, but Abhishek kept the scoring rate above 11 an over. India finished the powerplay on 81 for 2, their highest powerplay score against Pakistan in T20 internationals. Their previous best was 69 for no loss in the Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.
The seven sixes took Abhishek level with Yuvraj Singh for the most sixes by an Indian batter in a single India-Pakistan T20I innings. Yuvraj struck seven sixes in Ahmedabad in 2012. The knock also carried Abhishek past 400 sixes in T20 cricket, making him the second-fastest player to the landmark by balls faced after Andre Russell.
Tilak Varma and Shivam Dube finish strongly
After Abhishek’s dismissal in the eighth over, Pakistan’s spinners slowed India down. Arafat Minhas removed Ishan Kishan for 20, while Abrar Ahmed dismissed Iyer for 21. India were 133 for 5 after 14.1 overs when the innings could have stalled.
Tilak Varma ensured it did not. The left-hander struck an unbeaten 51 from 22 balls with three fours and four sixes, scoring at 231.82. He added 62 runs for the sixth wicket with Shivam Dube, who made 27 off 15 balls before falling to Ahmed Daniyal.
For Pakistan, Arafat Minhas finished with two wickets, while Ahmed Daniyal took two and Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed claimed one each.
What the 212 target means for Pakistan
Pakistan need 212 runs in 20 overs to win their first men’s Asian Games cricket gold. India are the defending champions, having been awarded the gold at Hangzhou 2023 after the final against Afghanistan was washed out.
Pakistan reached the final by beating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-reduced semi-final. India earned their place with a 124-run victory over Sri Lanka, bowling them out for 45 after Ishan Kishan’s unbeaten 80.
Frequently asked questions
What is Pakistan’s target in the Asian Games cricket final?
Pakistan need 212 runs from 20 overs to beat India and win the gold medal.
Who was India’s top scorer against Pakistan?
Abhishek Sharma top-scored with 61 off 28 balls, including seven sixes. Tilak Varma finished unbeaten on 51 off 22 balls.
What records were set in India’s innings?
India’s 81 for 2 was their highest powerplay score against Pakistan in T20Is. Abhishek Sharma equalled Yuvraj Singh’s record of seven sixes in an India-Pakistan T20I innings and became the second-fastest player to 400 sixes in T20 cricket by balls faced.
Who won the toss in the Asian Games cricket final?
India won the toss and chose to bat first at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
