Hasan Nawaz’s 96 Goes in Vain as Pakistan Settle for Silver. Pakistan fell agonisingly short of a maiden Asian Games cricket gold on Saturday, going down by 19 runs to defending champions India in a thrilling final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.
Chasing a daunting target of 212, Pakistan were carried deep into the innings by a sensational knock from Hasan Nawaz, who smashed 96 off just 51 balls studded with seven sixes and five fours, but the effort ultimately fell short as the side finished on 192 for 6 in their 20 overs.
India had earlier posted 211 for 6, powered by Abhishek Sharma’s blistering 61 off 28 balls and an unbeaten 51 off just 22 deliveries from Tilak Varma, whose late onslaught proved decisive in setting a daunting target.
Pakistan’s chase got off to a solid start through Saim Ayub, who struck 29 off 22 balls, before Hasan Nawaz took over and kept the dream alive almost to the final over, only for India’s bowling attack of Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube, who picked up two wickets apiece, to close out the match.
Arafat Minhas and Ahmed Daniyal took two wickets each for Pakistan but could not prevent India’s batters from posting a total that, in the end, proved just out of reach.
The result handed India their second successive Asian Games men’s cricket gold medal, while Pakistan, who reached the final after a campaign that included a washout-aided progression through the group stage, will return home with silver.
