Asian Games 2026: Pakistan vs India Highlights & Review – Final

India defeated Pakistan in the Asian Games 2026 gold medal match to retain the title on October 3 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. The Men in Blue were in complete control after winning the toss and opting to bat first. India posted 211/6 in 20 overs, with Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma scoring half-centuries. For Pakistan, Ahmed Daniyal and Arafat Minhas claimed two wickets each.

During the chase, Hasan Nawaz was the only major positive for Pakistan, smashing 96 runs off 51 balls. However, India’s bowlers kept the pressure on, with Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Shivam Dube picking up two wickets each to seal a comprehensive victory and secure the gold medal.

Top batting performance — Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma smashed 61 runs off 28 balls, including three fours and seven sixes, at a strike rate of 217.85. Later in the innings, Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 51 off 22 balls, with three fours and four sixes, striking at 231.81. Tilak also shared a crucial 62-run partnership with Shivam Dube off 30 balls.

Best bowling spell — Axar Patel and Washington Sundar

Indian spinners ran through Pakistan’s batting lineup in the final. Axar Patel returned figures of 2/29, dismissing Maaz Sadaqat and Usman Khan. Washington Sundar also claimed two wickets for 29 runs, removing Sahibzada Farhan and Abdul Samad. Their disciplined bowling helped India maintain control of the chase and eventually secure the gold medal.

Records broken and milestone achieved

• Highest partnerships for Pakistan vs India (any wicket): 87 runs – Hasan Nawaz and Saim Ayub, Nisshin, 2026. This is the third-highest partnership in the fixture.
• Highest first-innings total in India-Pakistan T20Is: 211/6 – India, Nisshin, 2026.
• 1,000-plus runs in a calendar year in Men’s T20Is: Ishan Kishan became the second Indian to achieve the feat, scoring 1,005 runs in 2026 at a strike rate of 169.47.
• Most sixes in an innings in an India-Pakistan T20I: Abhishek Sharma hit seven sixes, the joint-most in the fixture.
• Most sixes by an Indian batter in a calendar year in T20s: Abhishek Sharma has hit 104 sixes in 2026, averaging a six every 6.43 balls, which is the second-highest tally.
• Fewest balls to hit 100 T20 sixes in a calendar year: Abhishek Sharma reached the landmark in 651 balls in 2026, the second-fastest.
• Fewest balls to hit 400 T20 sixes: Abhishek Sharma reached 400 sixes in 3,513 balls, the second-fastest.