India defeats Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India won the gold medal in cricket at the Asian Games by defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final held in Nagoya, Japan, on October 3, 2026. India scored 211-6 in their 20 overs, with Abhishek Sharma contributing 61 runs and Tilak Varma scoring 51 not out. In response, Pakistan managed 192-6, with Hasan Nawaz scoring a notable 96 runs. The match was marked by the absence of handshakes between the captains due to ongoing political tensions between the two countries. The medal ceremony was delayed, with ICC chairman Jay Shah presenting medals only to the Indian team, while Pakistan and bronze medalists Sri Lanka received theirs from Asian Games officials. The match took place on a converted baseball field, and despite the competitive nature, no handshakes occurred before or after the game. This victory marked India's seventh consecutive win over Pakistan in T20 matches.