Abhishek Sharma Equaled Yuvraj Singh's Record in India vs Pakistan Match at Asian Games 2026

In the men's cricket tournament at the Asian Games 2026, a gold medal match took place between India and Pakistan. This contest was held on October 3rd (Saturday) at the Korogi Stadium in Nishin. The Indian team won by a margin of 19 points.

Having chosen to bat first after the toss, the Indian squad scored 211 runs, losing six batsmen. In response, the Pakistani team managed only 192 runs, marking the second consecutive gold medal for the Indian men's team at the Asian Games. Previously, at the Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2022, the Indian team secured gold by defeating Sri Lanka.

The starting batsmen Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Verma played a decisive role in India's victory. Abhishek scored 61 runs off 28 balls, including seven sixes and three fours. Tilak Verma made an invaluable contribution, scoring 51 runs off 22 balls, utilizing four sixes and three fours. A partnership between Tilak Verma and Shiv Dube amassed 60 runs from 30 balls for the fifth wicket. The last four overs proved to be a turning point in the match, as the Indian batsmen scored 69 runs.

For Pakistan, Arafat Minhaj and Ahmed Daniyal each took two wickets. During the game, the Pakistani team lost three wickets while scoring 39 runs. At this juncture, the partnership between Hasan Nawaz and Sam Ayub offered hope to the Pakistanis, accumulating 87 runs. However, Shiv Dube broke this partnership, dismissing Ayub (29 runs).

Even after Ayub's dismissal, Hasan Nawaz remained at the crease. He received support during crucial moments, but the pace of the game continuously increased, allowing the Indian team to gain control of the match. Nawaz was dismissed in the final over of his innings, scoring 96 runs off 51 balls, including seven sixes and five fours.

From the Indian side, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Shiv Dube took two wickets each. At the Asian Games 2026, the teams from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh advanced directly to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, the host Japan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Oman were scheduled to play group matches. From Group A, Nepal and Afghanistan qualified for the quarterfinals, and from Group B, Malaysia and Hong Kong qualified.

Four quarterfinal matches did not take place due to rain. Consequently, based on the best seeding, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Pakistan secured spots in the semifinals. In the semifinals, India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs, and the Pakistani team won against Bangladesh by 6 wickets.

India's full squad included Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Verma, Shiv Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Yashas Thakur, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, and Vipraj Nigam.

The quarterfinal match between India and Afghanistan at the 2026 Asian Games did not take place due to rain. Although all preparations for the game were completed, the match had to be canceled.

A large number of fans gathered at the stadium to watch this encounter. However, after the game was called off, the captain of the Indian team, Shreyas Iyer, and powerful batsman Abhishek Sharma won over everyone present with their unusual behavior.

When the game could not continue due to bad weather and was announced as canceled, the fans were disappointed. As the Indian players left the stadium, Shreyas Iyer and Abhishek Sharma decided to express their gratitude to the Indian fans who were there.

As they left the field, Iyer advised Abhishek Sharma to greet the fans by bowing to them. Following this, both athletes thanked the spectators by imitating Japanese culture and bowing their heads.

In another part of the events, expectations rose for a tense confrontation between India and Pakistan in men's cricket at the Asian Games, as both teams showed excellent play and reached the semi-finals. Nevertheless, fans will only be able to see this high-octane final if both teams win their semi-final matches.

The quarterfinals scheduled for Monday between India vs. Afghanistan and Pakistan vs. Hong Kong were also canceled due to rain. As a result of the cancellations, India and Pakistan received direct tickets to the semi-finals based on the best ranking.

To secure a spot in the final, India will meet Sri Lanka, and the Pakistani team will play Bangladesh. If both teams successfully pass their semi-finals, fans will once again see an exciting match between India and Pakistan in the Asian Games final.

Indian squash players demonstrated outstanding results at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, qualifying for the semi-finals. Abhay Singh and Anahat Singh won their semi-final matches, guaranteeing India at least a silver medal.

Abhay Singh, who holds a gold medal from the Asian Championships, defeated Mohammed Irfan of Pakistan in the men's singles category. He won with a score of 3-0 in sets. Abhay maintained control of the match from the beginning, winning the first set 11-3. In the second set, Irfan from Pakistan created serious competition, but Abhay remained calm and won the set 12-10, increasing his lead to 2-0.

In the third set, the Indian athlete once again asserted his dominance, winning 11-6 and securing his place in the final.

Meanwhile, in the women's singles category, Anahat Singh played a tense match against Satomi Watanabe of Japan, winning 3-2. Anahat initially lost the first set 9-11, and in the second set, she trailed 11-13. However, after this, the Indian athlete made an impressive comeback, winning the third set 12-10.

Subsequently, Anahat Singh leveled the score at 2-2, winning the fourth set 11-6. In the decisive fifth set, she gave Satomi Watanabe no chance and won the set 11-3, advancing to the final. This victory made Anahat Singh the first Indian woman to reach the final of the women's singles squash event at the Asian Games. Abhay Singh's victory also sustains hopes of winning gold in the men's singles category.

Now both Indian athletes will advance to the final, where they will have a chance to win a gold medal for India at the Asian Games. Winning gold qualifies both players for the Los Angeles Olympics.