Pakistan and India to clash for Asian Games cricket gold

NAGOYA - Pakistan and India will renew their cricket rivalry in the Asian Games men’s T20 final on Saturday after both neighbours won their semifinals in contrasting fashion in Nagoya.

Pakistan reached the title clash by defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-affected semifinal, while India crushed Sri Lanka by 124 runs to set up a much-anticipated final at Korogi Athletic Park Stadium. The Pakistan-Bangladesh match was reduced to 13 overs per side because of a wet outfield.

Bangladesh posted 111-7 before Pakistan chased down the target with nine balls remaining. Abdul Samad provided the finishing touch with an unbeaten 30 off 15 deliveries, while Saim Ayub contributed 21. Pakistan will now face India for the gold medal in a contest expected to draw enormous attention across both cricket-loving nations. India produced a dominant performance against Sri Lanka after posting 169-7 on a turning surface. Sri Lanka collapsed to 45 all out in less than 10 overs, losing two wickets without scoring and suffering three run-outs. Ishan Kishan anchored India’s innings with an unbeaten 80, including five sixes, while 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made an impressive Asian Games debut with 38 from 21 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes.

Sri Lankan coach Ashan Priyanjan praised the teenager’s ability, calling him an “amazing talent”. The final will add another chapter to one of international cricket’s most closely followed rivalries, with both teams now one victory away from Asian Games gold.

Meanwhile, the women’s tennis singles competition saw Philippines star Alexandra Eala suffer a surprise semi-final defeat. China’s Wang Xiyu recovered after losing the opening set to beat the top seed 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Eala, ranked 18th in the world, had been seeking to become the first Filipina to win the Asian Games singles title. She will take home a bronze medal.

China continued to dominate the overall medal standings late on day 12, leading with 152 gold medals. Hosts Japan were second with 55, followed by South Korea with 30. In esports, China’s Mu Xinyue made history by becoming the first woman to win an Asian Games gold in the discipline after China defeated Japan in the Identity V final. The result underlined China’s strength across the Games and growing esports profile.

GM BASHIR BAGS SHOOTING BRONZE

Pakistan’s Ghulam Mustafa Bashir secured a bronze medal in the men’s 25-metre rapid-fire pistol event at the 2026 Asian Games on Thursday, taking the country’s medal tally to six.

Bashir finished third in the eight-shooter final with 22 hits at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery. South Korea’s Lee Gunhyeok claimed gold with 32 hits, while China’s Su Lianbofan took silver with the same score. The medal adds to Bashir’s international honours, having previously won a bronze at the 2022 ISSF World Championships.

INDIA EDGE PAKISTAN 4-3 IN THRILLING HOCKEY SEMIFINAL

India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling men’s hockey semifinal at the Asian Games after Pakistan staged a remarkable fightback from a three-goal deficit. India raced to a 3-0 lead through two goals from captain Harmanpreet Singh in the fifth and 13th minutes and Sukhjeet Singh’s strike in the 23rd. Pakistan responded through captain Abu Mahmood, who converted a penalty corner in the 30th minute, before Hannan Shahid reduced the deficit further in the 45th.

Pakistan completed the comeback when Waheed Rana scored in the 49th minute. India secured victory in the final minute when Abhishek’s attempt deflected off Sufyan Khan and entered the net. Pakistan will now face Malaysia or South Korea for the bronze medal on Saturday.