Asian Games final: Pakistan struggle to 39-2 in powerplay after India post 211

Pakistan made a subdued start to their chase of 212 against India in the Asian Games men’s cricket final, reaching 39 for two after six overs as India’s bowlers and a sluggish surface restricted the scoring. Maaz Sadaqat provided the only significant resistance during the powerplay, making 23 off 17 balls with three fours, but Pakistan lost captain Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Khan as the required rate climbed to 12.35 an over. Farhan, who had made 10 off 11 balls, fell to Washington Sundar in the fourth over, caught by Axar Patel at deep midwicket while attempting a slog-sweep. Usman followed in the next over, caught by Shivam Dube at midwicket off Axar after managing only three from six deliveries. Maaz survived several uncomfortable moments early in his innings, including edges and top edges that fell short of fielders, but struggled to find the boundary as India tightened their grip. Hasan Nawaz was unbeaten on one from four balls at the end of the powerplay, with Pakistan needing another 173 runs from 84 deliveries. India’s Ishan Kishan (L) avoids getting stumped during the men’s cricket final match between Pakistan and India during the 2026 Asian Games at the Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin on October 3, 2026. — AFP Earlier, Tilak Varma’s unbeaten 51 off 22 balls and a late assault with Shivam Dube had lifted India to 211 for six. Varma and Dube added 62 from 31 balls for the sixth wicket after India had slipped to 137 for five, with Dube making 27 from 15 balls. India had earlier been propelled by Abhishek Sharma’s 61 off 28 balls, including seven sixes, as they raced to 114 for three at the halfway stage. Pakistan fought back through the middle overs, but Varma and Dube restored India’s momentum with an aggressive finish, India scoring 46 runs in the final three overs. Pakistan’s bowlers conceded 13 extras, including 11 wides, while several dropped chances also contributed to India’s imposing total. Saim Ayub was the most expensive of Pakistan’s bowlers, conceding 47 runs from four overs despite taking the wicket of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Arafat Minhas took two wickets for 25 runs and Abrar Ahmed one for 29. Pakistan now require 173 runs from 84 balls, with Hasan and Maaz at the crease. Indian batter Tilak Varma dives to complete a run and reach his half century during the Asian Games cricket final against Pakistan at the Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin, Japan on October 3, 2026.–AFP