Pakistan win Historic Asian Games Silver after defeat to India

Pakistan secured their first-ever silver medal in men’s cricket at the Asian Games after losing to arch-rivals India in the final at Korogi Sports Park on Saturday.

Batting first, India posted a formidable 211-6 in their allotted 20 overs, making a strong start through openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma.

Abhishek led India’s scoring with a blistering 61 off just 28 deliveries, hitting three fours and seven sixes. Tilak Varma provided another explosive contribution, finishing unbeaten on 51 off 22 balls, with three fours and four sixes.

Pakistan made a promising start in the chase as Sahibzada Farhan and Maaz Sadaqat put together a 33-run opening partnership. However, the Green-shirts struggled to maintain the required scoring rate and eventually finished on 192-6.

Nawaz produced a remarkable individual effort, remaining unbeaten on 96 from 51 balls, with five fours and seven sixes. Saad Masood added 12, but Pakistan required 33 runs from the final over and ultimately fell short.

The final was also the first-ever meeting between India and Pakistan in men’s cricket at the Asian Games.

The silver medal marks Pakistan’s second podium finish in men’s cricket at the Asian Games and their first silver medal in the competition. Pakistan previously won bronze at the 2010 Games after defeating Sri Lanka.

Pakistan did not participate in the 2014 edition, while at the 2023 Asian Games, they lost the bronze-medal match to Bangladesh. India were awarded gold in 2023 after their final against Afghanistan was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain.