India retain Asiad gold

India’s golden run in Asian Games cricket continued on Saturday as they beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the final at Korogi Sports Park in Japan to retain the men’s gold medal.

Bangladesh faced their first medal-less finish in men’s cricket, losing the bronze match to Sri Lanka by 63 runs. India successfully defended their gold title at the 20th Asian Games.

Pakistan, despite falling short in the final, secured their first silver medal in men’s cricket at the Asian Games.

Batting first after winning the toss, India posted a formidable 211 for six in 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma smashed 61 off 28 balls, including three fours and seven sixes, while Tilak Varma struck an unbeaten 51 off 22 balls.

Pakistan were kept in the hunt by a blistering 96 off 50 balls from Hassan Nawaz, but eventually finished on 192 for six.

The difference in the final came during the powerplay. India raced to 81 for two in the first six overs, while Pakistan managed only 39 for two. Pakistan briefly revived their hopes with an 87-run fourth-wicket partnership from 48 balls, but India’s imposing total proved beyond their reach.

Earlier, Tigers appeared in control of the bronze-medal match after restricting Sri Lanka to 29 for four in the first six overs.

However, Sri Lanka’s innings was transformed by Bangladesh’s wayward bowling, with the Islanders smashing 86 runs in the final six overs.

Mustafizur Rahman took 2 wickets for 43 runs in 3 overs, while Rishad Hossain took 1 for 46 in 4 overs. Sri Lanka scored 16 runs in Rishad's 16th over and 21 in his 18th, with Mustafiz conceding 25 in the 14th.

Sri Lanka eventually posted 165 for nine, with Tharindu top-scoring with a blistering 65 off 32 balls.

Bangladesh’s chase collapsed from the outset. They managed only 30 for four in the powerplay against Dilshan Madushanka and Tharindu.

Saif Hasan, Tanzid Hasan, and captain Litton Das all fell for ducks, leaving Bangladesh at 18 for four after just three overs. They ultimately collapsed to 102 all out with 15 balls remaining, with Nasum Ahmed top-scoring at 26, followed by Parvez Hossain Emon with 22 and Yasir Ali with 21.

Sri Lanka, who failed to win a medal at the Hangzhou Games three years ago, secured silver in Aichi-Nagoya.

The green and red, meanwhile, returned empty-handed, marking their first medal-less campaign in men’s cricket at the Asian Games.