Hangzhou: India successfully defended their Asian Games cricket gold medal, defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in a high-scoring final.

After taking first use of the wicket, Abhishek Sharma took the Pakistan spinners to the cleaners with a blistering 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma provided the final flourish with an unbeaten 51 as India posted an imposing 211 for six. The stylish left-hander, who had also tormented Pakistan in last year's Asia Cup, was in his element as he completely took the pitch out of the equation with a 20-ball half-century, diffusing the opposition's spin-dominated attack.

Ishan Kishan (20 off 18) briefly consolidated India's position alongside skipper Shreyas Iyer (21 off 24) as they added 35 runs for the fourth wicket before Pakistan's best bowler, left-arm spinner Arafat Minhas (2/25 in 3 overs), sent him back. Arafat also varied his pace cleverly, getting the rampaging Abhishek stumped, which added pressure on the defending champions. The final flourish was provided by Tilak (51 not out off 22) and Shivam Dube (27 off 15), who blasted the spinners after a lull period.

In reply, Pakistan were restricted to 192 for six despite a fighting 96 from Hasan Nawaz. India had won gold at the previous edition in Hangzhou after the final against Afghanistan was washed out midway due to rain, with India winning by virtue of being the higher-ranked team.

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