India vs Pakistan Asian Games 2026 Final: Tilak Varma’s late blitz powers India to 211/6
India posted 211/6 against Pakistan in the Asian Games 2026 cricket final, with Tilak Varma’s explosive fifty providing a late surge.
India posted 211/6 against Pakistan in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026, with Tilak Varma producing a spectacular late assault after India had appeared to lose some momentum in the middle overs.
India won the toss and opted to bat, with Abhishek Sharma and teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi providing an aggressive start. Sooryavanshi struck two sixes before being dismissed for 20, while Abhishek took charge at the other end.
Abhishek Sharma raced to a half-century from just 20 balls and eventually fell for a blistering 61 off 28 deliveries. His innings included three fours and six sixes, giving India the perfect platform during the powerplay.
Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan were unable to convert their starts, while captain Shreyas Iyer was dismissed for 21. Ishan made 20 before Arafat Minhas removed him, leaving India needing another strong finish.
That is where Tilak Varma stepped up.
Varma accelerated dramatically in the final overs, reaching his fifty from only 21 balls. He finished unbeaten on 51 from 22 deliveries, hitting three fours and four sixes. Shivam Dube also contributed during a 50-run partnership with Varma before falling for 15.
India added 69 runs in the final four overs, turning what had been a competitive total into a formidable 211/6.
Pakistan's bowling attack struggled to contain India's late surge, with Ahmed Daniyal finishing with figures of 2/43 and Arafat Minhas taking 2/25.
The pitch had shown signs of turn as the innings progressed, making India's late acceleration particularly significant. Pakistan now face the task of chasing 212 in the gold-medal clash.
With India’s top order producing fireworks and Varma finishing the innings in style, the final has already delivered plenty of drama before Pakistan’s chase even begins.
