Nisshin (Japan), Oct 3 (KNS): India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs in a thrilling men's cricket final at the Asian Games here on Saturday to retain their gold medal.

Put into bat after winning the toss, India posted a formidable 211 for six in their allotted 20 overs, riding on an explosive 61 off 28 balls from Abhishek Sharma and an unbeaten 51 off 22 deliveries by Tilak Varma.

Abhishek smashed three fours and seven sixes during his aggressive knock, while Varma struck three fours and four sixes. Shivam Dube also provided late impetus with a 15-ball 27, while Ishan Kishan contributed 20 off 18 balls and captain Shreyas Iyer made 21.

India made a flying start, reaching 81 for two in the powerplay. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 15 off nine balls, including two sixes, before being dismissed. Sanju Samson contributed just two runs.

Pakistan's Arafat Minhas and Ahmed Daniyal claimed two wickets each, while Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed took one wicket apiece.

Chasing 212, Pakistan finished on 192 for six in 20 overs, with Hasan Nawaz producing a spectacular 96 off 51 balls to keep his side in contention until the final over.

Nawaz smashed five fours and seven sixes, while Saim Ayub scored 29 off 22 balls. The pair added 87 runs for the fourth wicket before Ayub was dismissed by Dube in the 15th over.

Pakistan were reduced to 39 for three early in the chase before Nawaz and Ayub revived their innings. Nawaz continued the assault in the latter stages, but India managed to hold their nerve in the closing overs.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Washington Sundar and Axar Patel took two wickets each, while Dube also claimed two wickets. Jasprit Bumrah completed his four-over spell for 33 runs.

Pakistan needed 33 runs from the final over but could only reach 192 for six, handing India a 19-run victory and the men's cricket gold medal.

The victory means India successfully defended the men's cricket title they won at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Earlier in the tournament, India's quarterfinal against Afghanistan was abandoned due to rain, with India advancing to the semifinals on the basis of their higher seeding. They then defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semifinal.

Pakistan also progressed to the semifinals after their quarterfinal against Hong Kong, China was washed out, before defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-reduced semifinal.

The men's gold completed a cricket double for India at the Asian Games, with the women's team having also won the gold medal after defeating Sri Lanka in the women's final.

India 211/6 (20 overs): Abhishek Sharma 61, Tilak Varma 51*, Shivam Dube 27, Ishan Kishan 20, Shreyas Iyer 21; Arafat Minhas 2/25, Ahmed Daniyal 2/43.

Pakistan 192/6 (20 overs): Hasan Nawaz 96, Saim Ayub 29; Axar Patel 2/29, Washington Sundar 2/29, Shivam Dube 2/33.

Result: India won by 19 runs and won the Asian Games men's cricket gold medal.(KNS)