Hasan Nawaz’s 96 unable to lift Pakistan to gold as India take title

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs on Saturday to win Asian Games cricket gold in the final in Nagoya, Japan.

Pakistan finished on 192-6 in reply to India's 211-6, with Hasan Nawaz scoring 96 in a losing cause.

Who won the Asian Games cricket final between India and Pakistan?

India won the Asian Games cricket final by 19 runs. Abhishek Sharma scored 61 and Tilak Varma made 51 not out as India posted 211-6 in 20 overs. Pakistan replied with 192-6, and Hasan Nawaz made 96 off 51 balls before falling just short.

Why do India and Pakistan only meet at neutral venues?

The neighbouring countries only meet in international tournaments and on neutral ground because of political tensions. The captains refused the normal handshakes before the match. Afterwards, the jubilant India players paraded their national flag around the ground.

The final took place in front of a small but raucous crowd on a converted baseball field in Japan. The setting was new ground even for these bitter enemies, and hundreds of millions of fans watched on TV back home.

How did India build their total of 211-6?

After India chose to bat, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi announced his intention with back-to-back sixes in the second over from Saad Masood, which cost 24 runs. The 15-year-old batting sensation fell four balls later for 15.

His opening partner Abhishek reached his fifty off 20 balls to a massive ovation from fans who had brought a touch of South Asia cricket fever to the Far East and Korogi Park Athletic Stadium. Sloppy Pakistan fielding helped India, with Abhishek dropped twice. He should also have been run out on 46 when bowler Ahmed Daniyal's throw missed both stumps and the wicketkeeper with Abhishek stranded.

After Abhishek went for 61, Ishan Kishan fell for 20 as the Pakistan bowlers began to regain control. Captain Shreyas Iyer also departed soon after for 21, and India had been pegged back to 133-5 in the 15th over.

Tilak Varma then hit four sixes and Shivam Dube (27) added two more as the pair unleashed a late onslaught. They put on 62 in five overs for the sixth wicket, and India soared past 200.

How did Hasan Nawaz take Pakistan close in the chase?

Pakistan's previous best score batting second in T20 internationals was 208-3 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, and they made a good start in search of a record chase. Sahibzada Farhan (10) and Maaz Sadaqat put on 33 for the first wicket in 3.4 overs. When Sadaqat went for 23, it seemed they might fold easily.

Hasan had other ideas. He picked up the pace and bounce of the pitch and raced to a fifty off 28 balls with five sixes. Saim Ayub supported him, and their partnership grew to 87 before Dube struck.

Dube induced Ayub into a false shot, and Washington Sundar gratefully grasped the chance running in from square leg. That left Pakistan on 126-4 at the start of the 15th over.

Hasan ploughed on, and Pakistan needed 52 off the last three overs when Sundar got Abdul Samad to hit to long-on. At 168-5 with two overs left, India brought back Jasprit Bumrah. His over cost only 11 runs, leaving an improbable 33 off the final over, bowled by Dube.

Hasan reached 96 and fell off the last ball attempting one last big shot. His brilliant knock came off 51 deliveries, with seven sixes and five fours. Sri Lanka took the bronze medal after beating Bangladesh by 63 runs in the third-place playoff.