Hasan Nawaz's Fighting 96 Not Enough as Pakistan Settle for Asian Games Cricket Silver
India defend Hangzhou gold by 19 runs at Korogi Sports Park; Nawaz caught behind off Dube on the final ball
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File photo: Spectators watch an India vs Pakistan match at Edgbaston, Birmingham, in June 2013. Photo: wonker from London, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
NISSHIN, Japan – Hasan Nawaz's fighting 96 off 51 balls kept Pakistan in it right until the final delivery. But India held on by 19 runs to retain the Asian Games men's cricket gold at Korogi Sports Park on Saturday, Dawn and ESPNcricinfo reported.
Pakistan were chasing 212, and ended 192 for six. Nawaz was caught behind off Shivam Dube on the last ball, so Pakistan settled for silver. India are defending champions after taking gold at Hangzhou 2023.
India set 212
India put up 211 for six. Abhishek Sharma went highest with 61 off 28 balls, Tilak Varma stayed unbeaten on 51 off 22, and Shivam Dube made 27 off 15, as per ESPNcricinfo.
For Pakistan, Arafat Minhas took two for 25 and Ahmed Daniyal grabbed two for 43.
Nawaz's near-miss
Pakistan's chase rested on Nawaz, who hit five fours and seven sixes during his 96 off 51. Saim Ayub made 29, and Maaz Sadaqat 23, Dawn reported.
India's spinners and all-rounders kept the chase in check. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two for 29, while Dube finished with two for 33, including that last-ball dismissal of Nawaz.
How they got here
Pakistan had reached the final with a six-wicket semi-final win over Bangladesh, clinched at the same venue when Abdul Samad stayed unbeaten on 30 off 15 balls. India, meanwhile, beat Sri Lanka in the other semi-final.
