05 October,2026 12:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
VVS Laxman (Pic: File Pic)
In the Asian Games 2026 final against Pakistan, Team India emerged victorious by 19 runs at the Aichi Prefectural Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
Following the triumph, Team India's head coach VVS Laxman expressed happiness by saying that the "Men in Blue" stepped up even when the weather conditions were challenging.
"Very pleased with the way the team played; getting a gold in the Asian Games is a matter of great pride. And I think everyone played to their potential; defending the goal is also a very special moment for all of us... I think we are very lucky to have so many players who are so talented, hard-working, and have a great work ethic, and also, most importantly, who have got a champion's mindset," he said.
"So it was great to see them play, even though they were challenged by the weather or the conditions, but I think they stepped up. And especially when they were under pressure, I thought they held their nerve and got the desired result for the country," added Laxman.
In an attempt to chase a target of 212 runs, Pakistan managed to reach 192 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.
Pakistan's opening batsman Maaz Sadaqat departed on 23 runs in 18 balls, including three boundaries. Captain Sahibzada Farhan scored 10 runs in 11 balls, which included a boundary.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Usman Khan was dismissed on three runs in six balls. Hasan Nawaz missed his well-deserved century by just four runs. Facing 51 balls, Nawaz smashed 96 runs, with the help of five boundaries and seven maximums. Saim Ayub also managed to accumulate 29 runs in 22 balls, including two boundaries and a maximum.
Abdul Samad departed on nine runs in nine balls, including a boundary. Saad Masood stayed unbeaten on 12 runs in five balls, which included two maximums.
Team India's Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Shivam Dube bagged two wickets each. Jasprit Bumrah, Ravi Bishnoi, and Abhishek Sharma went wicketless in the Asian Games 2026 final against Pakistan.
Earlier, having opted to bat first, Team India's opening batsman Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed on 15 runs in nine balls, including two maximums. Fellow opening batsman Abhishek Sharma returned to the pavilion after scoring 61 runs in 28 balls, including three boundaries and seven maximums. Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson departed on two runs in four balls.
Ishan Kishan lost his wicket after scoring 20 runs in 18 balls, including three boundaries. Skipper Shreyas Iyer was dismissed on 21 runs after facing 24 balls. His knock also saw him smash two boundaries.
Tilak Varma garnered an unbeaten 51 runs off just 22 deliveries. His knock was laced with three boundaries and four maximums. Shivam Dube returned to the pavilion after scoring 27 runs in 15 balls, including two boundaries and the same number of maximums. Axar Patel stayed unbeaten on one run in one ball. With this, the "Men in Blue" posted a total of 211 runs for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.
Pakistan's Ahmed Daniyal and Arafat Minhas claimed two wickets each. Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed also bagged one wicket each. Saad Masood and Sufiyan Muqeem went wicketless in the Asian Games 2026 final against Team India.
(With ANI Inputs)
