Nisshin, October 3,2026: Hasan Nawaz’s brilliant 96 went in vain as Pakistan fell 19 runs short of India’s 212-run target to settle for the silver medal in the Asian Games men’s cricket final at Korogi Athletic Park on Saturday.
Chasing 212, Pakistan finished at 192 for six despite a remarkable late assault by Hasan, who smashed five fours and seven sixes in a 51-ball innings.
Pakistan needed 33 runs from the final over after reaching 179 for five. Hasan kept the contest alive by hitting India all-rounder Shivam Dube for a boundary and a six from the first two deliveries.
Dube then responded with a yorker and two dot balls, leaving Hasan needing four runs from the final delivery to complete his century and keep Pakistan in contention.
Hasan attempted to clear the infield but was caught behind by wicketkeeper Sanju Samson off Dube, bringing an outstanding innings to an end.
Pakistan had been reduced to 39 for three after six overs before Hasan and Saim Ayub launched a recovery with an 87-run fourth-wicket partnership.
Saim scored 29 off 22 balls before falling in the 15th over, caught by Washington Sundar at square leg off Dube. Abdul Samad was dismissed for nine in the 18th over, caught by Tilak Varma off Sundar.
Hasan had reached his half-century from just 28 balls and continued attacking India’s spinners. He struck Axar Patel for a six in the 16th over and reached 68 from 36 deliveries.
Pakistan were 160 for four after 17 overs and required 52 from the final 18 balls. Saad Masood added two sixes in an unbeaten 12 off five balls, but India kept control of the chase.
Dube was entrusted with the final over and conceded a boundary and a six to Hasan, before his yorkers and tight bowling denied Pakistan the required runs.
Earlier, India posted 211 for six after a late acceleration led by Tilak Varma and Dube.
Varma remained unbeaten on 51 from 22 balls, hitting three fours and four sixes, while Dube made 27 off 15 deliveries with two fours and two sixes. The pair added 62 runs from 31 balls for the sixth wicket.
India had made an explosive start through Abhishek Sharma, who smashed 61 off 28 balls with three fours and seven sixes.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi contributed 15 off nine before being caught by Usman Khan off Saim Ayub, while Sanju Samson was dismissed for two by Ahmed Daniyal.
Shreyas Iyer scored 21 off 24 balls and Ishan Kishan made 20 off 18. Kishan fell to Arafat Minhas at 128, while Iyer was dismissed by Abrar Ahmed five runs later.
India reached 114 in the first 10 overs before adding 97 in the second half of their innings. Varma completed his half-century from 21 balls and remained unbeaten, while Dube was dismissed by Daniyal with the first ball of the final over.
For Pakistan, Arafat Minhas took two wickets for 25 runs from three overs, while Daniyal claimed two for 43. Abrar Ahmed took one for 29 and Saim Ayub one for 47.
Sri Lanka secured the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh by 63 runs in the third-place playoff.
