Abhishek, Tilak and spinners secure gold for India at Asian Games again

Rapid half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma at either end of their innings set India up to defend their Asian Games men's gold with a 19-run win over Pakistan in Nisshin. The final pitted a full-strength India against a second-string Pakistan, and the first two-thirds of the contest went alongside expected lines, but a stunning 51-ball 96 from Hasan Nawaz ensured there was a tense finish. With this result, India have a 4-3 advantage over Pakistan in finals of major tournaments (five or more teams) across formats.

The pitch in Nisshin was another slow, grippy turner, but the smallness of the outfield meant spinners were under constant pressure to hit their lengths consistently. India hit 15 sixes, and Pakistan ten - that perhaps summed up the difference between the two sides. India had more pedigreed T20 hitters in their line-up, and bowlers with better control too. In packing their side with allrounders, though, they were also perhaps a frontline bowler light, and it showed in the figures of their fourth, fifth and sixth bowlers - Ravi Bishnoi, Abhishek and Shivam Dube went for a combined 100 in eight overs.