India posted a formidable 211/6 against Pakistan in the men’s T20 cricket gold medal match at the Asian Games on Saturday, powered by explosive half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma.
India made an aggressive start after being sent in, with Abhishek and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi adding 24 runs in the second over. Pakistan struck back quickly, with Saim Ayub dismissing Sooryavanshi for 15 off nine balls.
Sanju Samson then fell for two, but Abhishek continued his assault and brought up his half-century in just 20 balls. India reached 81/2 at the end of the powerplay, their highest powerplay total against Pakistan in T20 cricket.
Abhishek eventually departed for a blistering 61 off 28 deliveries, hitting three fours and seven sixes. Ishan Kishan contributed 20 before Arafat Minhas claimed his second wicket, while captain Shreyas Iyer made 21 before being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed.
India were 142/5 after 16 overs, but Tilak Varma changed the complexion of the innings in the closing overs. He combined with Shivam Dube to add crucial runs, with Dube scoring 27 off 15 balls before falling to Ahmed Daniyal in the final over.
Varma then launched two consecutive sixes and completed his half-century from just 21 balls. He remained unbeaten on 51 off 22 deliveries, with three fours and four sixes, as India crossed the 200-run mark and finished on 211/6.
Daniyal and Minhas were Pakistan’s most successful bowlers, taking two wickets each, while Ayub and Abrar claimed one apiece.
Pakistan now require 212 runs to win the gold medal, while India will look to defend their total and retain the Asian Games men’s T20 cricket title.
