India clinched its second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the 20th Asian Games (Aichi-Nagoya 2026) in Japan, defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in a final held on October 3, 2026.
The final match, played at Korogi Sports Park in Nishin, saw India set a target of 212 runs after batting first. India posted 211 for six wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma led the scoring with 61 runs, supported by Tilak Verma who contributed 51. For Pakistan, Ahmed Daniyal and Arafat Minhas each took two wickets.
Chasing 212, Pakistan managed 192 for six wickets in their 20 overs. Hasan Nawaz was the standout performer for Pakistan, scoring 96 runs. India’s bowling attack was spearheaded by Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Shivam Dube, who each claimed two wickets, securing India’s victory.
This victory marks India’s second consecutive gold medal in men’s cricket at the Asian Games, following their triumph in the 2022 edition (held in 2023). Pakistan, meanwhile, secured their first silver medal in the event. Earlier on the same day, Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by 63 runs to win the bronze medal in the men’s cricket competition.
Nepal’s Campaign and Tournament Background
Nepal’s men’s cricket team reached the quarter-finals of the tournament. However, their campaign ended on September 29, 2026, when their quarter-final match against Sri Lanka was cancelled due to rain. Sri Lanka advanced to the semi-finals based on their higher ranking, as per tournament rules.
Cricket made its debut at the Asian Games in 2010 in Guangzhou. Previous gold medal winners in men’s cricket include Bangladesh in 2010 and Sri Lanka in 2014.
Looking Ahead
The 20th Asian Games, organized by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), which commenced on September 19, 2026, will conclude with a closing ceremony on October 4, 2026, at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Japan. The next editions of the Asian Games are scheduled for 2030 in Doha, Qatar, and 2034 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
