India set a challenging target of 211, with Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma scoring half-centuries, and a late surge from Shivam Dube. Despite a remarkable 96 from Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz, strong bowling performances from Axar Patel and crucial final overs from Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah sealed the win for India.

India set a challenging target of 211, with Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma scoring half-centuries, and a late surge from Shivam Dube. Despite a remarkable 96 from Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz, strong bowling performances from Axar Patel and crucial final overs from Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah sealed the win for India.

India set a challenging target of 211, with Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma scoring half-centuries, and a late surge from Shivam Dube. Despite a remarkable 96 from Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz, strong bowling performances from Axar Patel and crucial final overs from Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah sealed the win for India.

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs on Saturday to clinch their second consecutive gold medal in the Asian Games men's cricket event. Earlier, India's women's team had also successfully defended its gold in the continental event.

Washington Sundar and Jasprit Bumrah produced two brilliant overs in the end to ensure the contest was not going to be a nail-biter. With three overs remaining, Pakistan still had a fighting chance, but the two experienced campaigners ensured there was to be no plot twists in favour of the Green Army. 

After posting 211 for six on a batting-friendly track, India restricted Pakistan to 192 for six despite a gutsy 96 (50 balls; 7 sixes, 5 fours) from Hasan Nawaz. The fearless right-hander fell on the last ball of the game trying to pull a shorter delivery from Shivam Dube—only to be caught by Sanju Samson behind the stumps.

Axar Patel, however, was the pick among the bowlers for India with figures of 4-0-29-2.

Earlier in the match, half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma (61) and Tilak Varma (51 not out) powered India to a daunting total here at the Korogi Sports Park. Varma and Dube's (27 off 15) late flourish ensured it was going to be a really tough run-chase for their arch-rivals.

The pitch in Japan was tricky, to say the least, but Abhishek Sharma, the world's No. 1 T20I batter, smashed 61 off 28 balls with seven sixes, before team vice-captain Tilak Varma chipped in with a top-notch unbeaten 51. Abhishek ensured India started the game in the right manner by scoring the lion's share of the 81 runs that came in the batting Powerplay. The left-hander bashed the Pakistan spinners as he rushed to a 20-ball half-century.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (15 off 9 balls) and Sanju Samson (2 off 4) failed to make an impact for the Men in Blue—forcing Ishan Kishan (20 off 18 balls) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (21 off 24) to play cautiously. They ensured there was no further damage as they added 35 runs for the fourth wicket before Pakistan's best bowler—left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas (2/25 in 3 overs)—sent Kishan back.

However, Dube and Tilak ensured that India finished with a final flourish as the duo added 62 runs for the sixth wicket in just five overs, right when Pakistan thought they had made a comeback by making big-hitting difficult for the defending champions.

They ensured there were no further damage as they added 35 runs for the fourth wicket before Pakistan's best bowler -- left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas (2/25 in 3 overs) -- sent him back.

However, Dube and Tilak ensured that India finished with a final flourish as the duo added 62 runs for the sixth wicket in just five overs just when Pakistan thought they had made a comeback by making big-hitting difficult for the defending champions.

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