Pakistan vs India, Asian Games Men’s T20I, 2026 Oct 3 Full score card

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shivam Dube wraps up the Gold medal with a wicket. INDIA WIN BY 19 RUNS! This is banged into the pitch, on middle, takes pace off. Hasan Nawaz steps across and tries to hook it again but goes through the shot early. It takes the gloves and goes behind, where Sanju Samson grabs it with his right hand and throws it up in celebration. Nawaz fails to get a hundred, but he fought really well for Pakistan.

Uppish but safe! Dug into the surface, on middle. Hasan Nawaz gets hurried on the pull shot and mistimes it in the air. It lands safely in the vacant mid-wicket region and Nawaz comes back for the second run. Can he at least get to a 100 on the last ball?

SIX! Clean strike! Pitched up, on middle, angling in a bit. Hasan Nawaz collapses his back knee and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. He moves to 94, but his knock won't come in a winning cause.

Fuller and on off, Hasan Nawaz drills it down to long off but denies the single.

That should be that! Shivam Dube absolutely nails the yorker, on off. Hasan Nawaz is late to get his bat down and misses. India's game to lose now, barring anything extraordinary.

WIDE! Pressure, pressure! Fuller one but over the tramline, outside off. Hasan Nawaz leaves it alone. Wided.

FOUR! Pakistan still in with a shout! A slower bumper, just outside off. Hasan Nawaz gets inside the line of it and hooks it towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Pakistan need 33 off the final over, which means at least five out of the six balls (given there are no wides or no balls) have to travel over the fence. It will be Shivam Dube to bowl the final over.

Right in the blockhole, on middle, tailing in, Hasan Nawaz jams it out towards long on for one.

A precious dot! Dug into the surface, just around off, takes pace off again. Hasan Nawaz tries to pull it away but fails to connect.

Pace off, good length and on middle, Saad Masood goes through the slog across the line early and misses. Sanju Samson gets a bad bounce and fails to collect it cleanly. A bye taken.

SIX! Oh..wow! Jasprit Bumrah misses his yorker and serves a low full toss, on middle. Saad Masood backs away and hits it through the line. He gets enough bat as the ball sails over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Pitched up and on middle, Hasan Nawaz clips it away to deep mid-wicket for a single. He wants the second but will not get it this time.

Fuller delivery, on middle and off. Hasan Nawaz stays deep in the crease and jams it out towards deep point for a single. The fielder throws it to the keeper's end, where Sanju Samson loses his footing and parries it, allowing the second run.

Jasprit Bumrah is back on to bowl the penultimate over of the chase.

SIX! That just about keeps Pakistan in the game! Flighted, full and around middle. Saad Masood clears his front leg away and tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie.

Quicker one, short and on off, Saad Masood fails to flick it away.

Swing and a miss! Slows it up, full and around off, Saad Masood goes down for the sweep but misses.

Saad Masood walks out to bat next.

OUT! IN THE AIR...GONE! Washington Sundar gets a wicket at a crucial time. He bowls this flatter, gets it to go like a leg-cutter, with some extra bounce. Abdul Samad stands tall and tries to manufacture a shot down the ground. He fails to get on top of the bounce and mistimes it high in the air. It only goes as far as Tilak Varma at long on, who makes no mistake. Pakistan are 162/5, still needing 50 runs in 15 balls.

Flighted, full and on off, Hasan Nawaz goes down and across and slogs it to the right of deep square leg. Ishan Kishan runs to his right quickly to stop it. Just one.

Floated, full and on off, Abdul Samad goes down and swipes it off the inner half of the bat towards deep square leg for a single.

Pakistan need 52 off 18 balls. Suddenly, they will be thinking, what if they had done a bit more in the Powerplay? It is still a tough ask for the batting side, and it will be Washington Sundar to bowl the 18th over. Could India have brought on Jasprit Bumrah and tried to kill the game here? Only time will tell.

Pace off, back of a length and around off, Hasan Nawaz cuts it away past point. Ishan Kishan in the deep runs to his left to cut it out, keeping it to two runs. 16 runs off the over!

Much better! Fuller delivery, on off, Abdul Samad can't get under it and drills it to long on for a run.

A bit of a halt in play as India try to slow things down. There is a conference between Shreyas Iyer and the bowler on the field setting. A minute or so later, and we are good to go again.

FOUR! More runs! Ordinary bowling from Shivam Dube, with third man up in the circle. He lands this short and wide outside off. Abdul Samad slashes hard and gets a top edge that flies over short third for four more runs.

Pitched, on middle, Hasan Nawaz bunts it out to long on for a single.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! India are letting the pressure off in the field! Short of a length and outside off. Hasan Nawaz frees his arms and cuts it away. He sees it is going straight to point and hangs his head back. However, the fielder lets it through his legs and the ball rolls to the fence for a boundary. Nawaz punches the air quietly.

FOUR! Not where he intended it to go but he gets the result! Fuller delivey, outside off. Hasan Nawaz throws his hands at it, but gets an outside edge that flies over short third for a boundary.

Dragged back, outside off, Abdul Samad cuts it away but straight to point. 68 runs needed in 24 balls now!

FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs for Pakistan! Axar Patel bowls the arm ball, full and on middle, angling in sharply and skidding through as well. Abdul Samad misses his flick and Sanju Samson also fails to stop it as the ball races to the fine leg fence for a boundary.

A bit short, on middle, Hasan Nawaz opens the bat face and steers it towards point for a quick one.

Ripper! Flatter, full and on middle, grips and turns away, Hasan Nawaz stays back and has a poke at it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Drops it short, on middle and leg, Abrar Ahmed rocks back and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Floated, full and on off, Hasan Nawaz drives it down to long off for a single.

SIX! Going, going, gone! Tossed up, full and around middle. Hasan Nawaz clears his front leg away, hits through the line, launching it high and handsomely over the long on fence for a biggie.

Did that carry? Washington Sundar's reaction tells us that it did. Slower delivery, on a good length and wide outside off. Hasan Nawaz reaches for it and cuts it downwards to the right of point. Sundar dives across and shells it. The trajectory of the ball was an awkward one, but we have seen these catches being taken. A single is taken.

Hard length in the channel, tapped away down to backward point for a single. Excellent over so far from Dube.

Swing and a miss! Pitched fuller on off, a bit more oomph on it from Dube. Samad looks to swing through the line of the ball but it nips in a bit with some extra bounce and travels over the middle stump.

Pace off from Dube, wide outside off. Nawaz reaches out and dabs it through the short-third region for one more.

Short of a good length and outside off, Abdul Samad waits back and angles it down to deep third for a single.

A timely wicket for India. Abdul Samad walks out to bat. The pair at the crease now took Pakistan over the line against Bangladesh in the semi-final, but the task here is a much tougher one.

OUT! CAUGHT! Saim Ayub tries to get funky and pays the price as Shivam Dube strikes on his very first ball. Dube begins with a full-length delivery, angling it well across the off stump. Ayub shuffles past the off stump, trying to force the lap shot but ends up miscuing it over square leg. Washington Sundar comes charging in from the deep and puts in a big dive forward to take the catch with both hands. End of the 87-run stand, and Pakistan now need 86 more off 35 balls.

Shivam Dube joins the attack.

FOUR! That's loose from Bumrah, and Nawaz picks up a free boundary. The off-cutter but this one angles down leg. Hasan Nawaz tickles it down to the vacant fine leg fence for a boundary.

Back of a length, angling across off. Ayub waits well and runs it down to deep third for a single. Five runs in five balls in this over so far. Will Nawaz just look to see off Bumrah here?

Another mistimed pull, but this one also falls safely. Bumrah keeps the length short and attacks the body. Saim Ayub is late on the pull, top-edging it over Axar Patel at mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Dug in a bit short and around the hips. Ayub leans back and pulls it over the square leg region for a couple of runs in the deep.

That's well bowled. Good length on leg, darting across the left-hander at a brisk pace. Ayub stays compact and nearly edges it behind, but the ball slides past the outside edge.

Slower one, in and around off. Saim Ayub watchfully defends.

A momentum-shifting over, but can Pakistan build on it? Shreyas Iyer brings Jasprit Bumrah back to break this threatening stand.

FOUR! Just out of reach, and maybe Abhishek Sharma didn't pick it either, but it will be another boundary. On middle, Hasan Nawaz goes for the sweep, hitting it flat and hard to the right of deep mid-wicket. Sharma puts in a late dive but the ball goes wide of him and into the fence. 95 needed now off 42 balls.

SIX! Hasan Nawaz is keeping Pakistan in with an outside chance here. Nawaz gets to FIFTY in 28 balls. Another in-drifter from Bishnoi, full and angled into the swinging arc. Nawaz slogs it away high and long over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

A bit shorter and drifted into the pads. Hasan Nawaz tucks it down to long leg and picks up a couple of runs more.

What a late lunge from Ishan Kishan, and that's another boundary saved. Full and wide outside off, Nawaz thrashes it away to the left of point. Kishan races across the turf and dives to his left, palming the ball back in. Two more added to the total.

SIX! Launched! Too full and on off, right in the slot. Hasan Nawaz is able to just lean on and hit through the line, smashing it over long off for a biggie. 100 up for Pakistan now.

A flatter googly, bowled into the pads. Nawaz fails to flick it away.

Dragged shorter outside off, Saim cuts it off the back foot but straight to backward point.

Following the batter to the leg side. Nawaz tucks it down to mid-wicket for a single.

Top fielding in the deep from Abhishek Sharma. Full and drifted into the pads. Nawaz sweeps it hard and to the right of deep mid-wicket, where Sharma dives across and keeps it down to two runs.

A tad shorter on off and middle, Ayub makes room and taps it in front of point for a single.

A direct hit might have been interesting, but it actually ends up being an overthrow. Flatter and on middle, Hasan Nawaz clips it away through mid-wicket. The batters push for two and the fielder fires in a throw at the bowler's end. It is a tad wide and Shreyas Iyer backing up, fumbles as well, allowing the third run.

Quicker one, fired into the pads. Ayub clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Washington Sundar is back on.

A single to end, but 13 runs come off the over, and the 50-run stand is also up between these two. Fired in down the leg side, paddled down to short fine leg for just a single.

FOUR! Up and over! This is floated up, full and wide outside off. Ayub extends his arms, goes on one knee and nails the lofted shot over covers for another boundary.

FOUR! Dispatched with ease. A bit of a drag-down from Abhishek, bowled from the front of the hand. Saim Ayub goes deep in the crease and flat-bats it down the ground for a boundary.

On the shorter side, sliding in on middle. Nawaz rocks back and forces the pull through mid-wicket for another run.

WIDE! Flighted up wide outside off, turning away past the tramline.

Short and wide outside off, trying to turn it back in. Ayub backs away and smacks it down through mid off for one more. There's a check going on for a back-foot No Ball, but Sharma seems to be fine here.

Tossed up on middle, ends up being a low full toss. Nawaz eases it through covers for a single.

DRINKS! There's a bit of impetus now to this Pakistan chase, but did they leave too many runs out there in the Powerplay? Seems like it. 136 needed off 60 balls, and the pressure to keep finding the fence will be immense. Hasan Nawaz has looked good so far, but he needs to go on and play an absolute blinder if Pakistan are to have any shot at the gold medal. Indian spinners have generally bowled well, and a couple of more wickets in this middle phase should be enough of a cushion at the back end. Let's see how this chase eventually pans out.

Back to the shorter length, on off, Hasan Nawaz punches it to long off for one.

Slows it up, full and on off, Hasan Nawaz plays it very late and stabs it out to point.

SIX! Just over! A googly, full and on middle and off. Hasan Nawaz gets down on one knee and plays the slog sweep. It flies towards deep mid-wicket, where Washington Sundar thinks he is in the game, but the wind takes it over his outstretched hand for half a dozen more.

Flatter, shortish and on leg, Hasan Nawaz stays back to flick it away but misses and gets it on the pads.

SIX! Short and punished! Ravi Bishnoi drags his length back, on middle and leg. Hasan Nawaz picks up the length early and smacks it over the deep square leg fence for another biggie.

Floated, full and around off, Saim Ayub pushes it through covers for a single.

Short and on middle, Saim Ayub punches it down to long on for one more.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is off the field. He seems to have copped a blow to the fingers on his right hand while going for that catch a few balls ago.

Goes short, on middle, Hasan Nawaz forces it down to long on for another run.

SIX! Much better connection! Flighted, full and on middle and off. Hasan Nawaz gets underneath the ball, hits it through the lin, dispatching it over the long off fence for a biggie.

DROPPED! That should have been taken! Tossed up, full and on middle, Hasan Nawaz tries to go big down the ground but gets no timing at all. It flies over the bowler's head as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi from long off runs to his right. However, he sees Ravi Bishnoi in his peripheral vision and spills it. Good thing that they avoided a collision, which would have made it even worse. Two taken.

Just short! Slower through the air, full and on off, holds up and turns away. Hasan Nawaz pushes with hard hands at it. It lobs up but just falls in front of point.

Floated, short and outside off, Hasan Nawaz cuts it away to point.

Abhishek Sharma has now been tossed the ball. He will roll his arm over with his left-arm spin.

Quicker now, shorter too, angling in. Hasan Nawaz gets cramped up and miscues the pull towards mid-wicket for one more.

Slows it up, short once more and on off, keeps a bit low. Saim Ayub drags it off the inside half of the bat to long on for one.

SIX! That is outta here! Ravi Bishnoi bowls a half-tracker, on middle, begging to be hit. Saim Ayub picks up the length early, rocks back and whacks it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. 50 up for Pakistan.

Another googly, short and on middle, Hasan Nawaz flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for a run.

Shorter in length and around off, Saim Ayub punches it through covers for a single.

Close! A wrong'un, shortish and on off, turns away and skids off the deck. Saim Ayub is late on his flick and misses as the ball just goes past the off pole.

Ravi Bishnoi to have a bowl now.

Dragged back, on off, Saim Ayub punches it down to long on for one more.

Arm ball, shortish and on middle, angling in. Hasan Nawaz nudges it away to deep square leg for one.

Short again, on middle, Hasan Nawaz keeps it out to the leg side.

Goes short, on middle, Saim Ayub pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flighted, full and on off, Saim Ayub knocks it to the left of the bowler.

Saim Ayub is the new batter in for Pakistan.

OUT! TAKEN SUPERBLY IN THE DEEP! Axar Patel gets his second of the game. He floats it up, full and around leg. Maaz Sadaqat goes down on one knee and sweeps it away. He does not try to keep it down as the ball flies wide of deep backward square leg. Washington Sundar runs to his left and grabs it with both hands, but he realises that the momentum is taking him over the ropes. So, he lobs up the ball just in time, goes over and comes back to complete the catch. The replay confirms that it is a clean catch. Pakistan lose thier third wicket now.

Has that been taken cleanly? It seems like Washington Sundar has managed to keep his composure at the death, but the third umpire is called in to have a look. Replays show that Sundar did manage to let go off the ball before touching the ropes, and it will be OUT on the big screen.

A massive difference in scoring already between the two teams. India scored 81 in their Powerplay, and Pakistan have managed just 39, not even half of that. They need to pick up the pace through the middle overs.

Dragged back, on off, Hasan Nawaz blocks it out. Pakistan are 39/2 at the end of the Powerplay!

Flighted, full and on middle, Maaz Sadaqat uses his feet and heaves it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket. He sets off for the run but Dube fails to pick it up on the first attempt and Maaz makes his ground easily.

Short again, on off, turns away. Maaz Sadaqat stabs it out towards point.

Goes short and around leg, Hasan Nawaz backs away and clips it through square leg for a run.

Floated, full and on middle, turns in, Hasan Nawaz tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Flatter, full and around off. Maaz Sadaqat goes for the reverse sweep but looks like he misses it. Sanju Samson fails to collect it cleanly as the ball goes off his pads towards short third. They cross. It is given as runs.

Excellent over from Axar, just 2 runs and a wicket off it. Floated up on off, a bit fuller as well. Hasan Nawaz watchfully defends.

Big blow for Pakistan. Hasan Nawaz comes out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Really smart bowling from Axar Patel, and he creates enough pressure to draw out a false shot. Patel lobs this one fuller, angling it into the stumps. Usman Khan clears the front leg and drags the slog sweep flat towards mid-wicket. There's not much elevation or power in the shot, and Shivam Dube jumps up a bit and snaffles it nicely over his head. Pakistan are now 2 down for 36.

Axar is offering no room to the batter here. Nagging length, attacking off and middle, and Khan cannot get it away.

No run there! Fractionally short around off, Usman Khan backs away and slaps it straight to covers. Maaz Sadaqat at the other end wants the single and steps out but Usman rightly sends him back.

Bowled flatter and a bit fuller outside off. Khan cuts it straight to the point fielder.

Dragged length around leg, Khan rocks back and forces the pull in front of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Will Jasprit Bumrah get a third over on the trot? Nope, it is a change of ends for Axar Patel.

Nicely flighted, in and around off. Sadaqat pushes it away to extra cover.

Slower and a bit short on middle, Usman Khan hangs back and taps it past square leg for a single.

End of the 33-run opening stand. Usman Khan walks out to bat at number 3,

OUT! CAUGHT! For a second, the connection looked like a good one, but Sahibzada Farhan has picked out the fielder in the deep. Washington Sundar tosses it up on middle, and this time Farhan keeps his shape while looking to slog sweep. Farhan goes down on one knee and wallops it, bit off the top edge, and straight down the throat of Axar Patel at deep mid-wicket. Patel makes no mistake, and Pakistan are 33/1, chasing 212 for the win.

FOUR! Pakistan keep racking up the boundaries behind the keeper. Nicely drifted into middle and leg, Farhan backs away to slog sweep but gets a top edge straight back over Sanju Samson's head and rolls away into the fence.

Full and around off, driven away wide of mid off for a single.

FOUR! Another streaky boundary for Sadaqat, but he'll take it. Flighted up outside off, Sadaqat leans on and looks to loft it away over extra cover but gets a big outside edge that lobs well over the short third fielder, running away into the fence behind.

Washington Sundar comes in as the first bowling change.

Impeccable length, and only 3 runs come off Bumrah's second over. Good length around off, darting back in. Farhan stays back and gets on his toes, pushing it down to covers. Pakistan are 24/0 after 3 overs, and will be looking to shift gears quickly now.

Back of a length and outside off, Sadaqat stays back and guides it down to deep third for a single.

Wow, that's flown through. Short of a good length, around middle. This one angles across and shoots up high off the deck. Sadaqat is beaten on the cut and Sanju Samson barely manages to get his gloves to it as he leaps up to his left.

A bit of aggression from Sadaqat, but he fails to connect. On the shorter side, over middle and leg, slanting it away from the batter. Sadaqat comes down the pitch and swings across the line but is well beaten.

Back of a length, angled across off. Sadaqat rides the bounce well, steering it down to deep third. Shivam Dube makes a good stop to his right as the ball was travelling, and Sadaqat also does well to get back for the second run.

Good-length delivery on leg, trying to dart it across the left-hander. Sadaqat stays put and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Beaten by the bounce! Length ball around off, Farhan backs away to cut but the ball jumps up off the deck and goes well past the bat.

A comedy of errors in the field from India. Flighted ball around off, Farhan goes down and sweeps it wide of mid on. Ishan Kishan runs around to his right but is a bit lazy in getting down and just gets some fingers on it. Washington Sundar, coming in from deep mid-wicket, is beaten by the deflection but recovers well and keeps it down to two runs.

Fuller one, fired in on middle. Sadaqat steps out and lofts it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Straight up in the air, but again, it lands where there isn't a fielder. Good length at the stumps, Maaz Sadaqat sits down to sweep but is undone by the extra bounce, top-edging it down to fine leg for a boundary.

Really short and angled into the batter. Farhan hops back and taps it in front of square leg for a quick single.

A slight halt, not exactly sure what it's about. It is for the boundary check, but the replay shows that it is perfectly fine.

Not perfectly timed, but well enough to take it over the infield. Length ball at the stumps, Sahibzada Farhan plays the reverse sweep, top-edging it over backward point. The fielder from short third cuts it off and keeps it down to a brace. There is a very late boundary check, and replays show that Ravi Bishnoi was well inside the ropes when he cut it off.

An eventful 8-ball opening over comes to an end. Time for some spin, with Axar Patel sharing the attack.

In the air, but it will land safely. Pakistan get 10 runs from the first over. Back of a length and angled across off, Sadaqat extends the arms and slashes it over the point region, collecting two more runs.

FOUR! Sadaqat throws his hands at the freebie and gets good purchase as well. Good length, wide outside off, slammed away over cover-point for a boundary, the first one of the chase.

Sadaqat is away with a streaky shot. Shorter and right at the batter. Maaz hangs back and looks to hook but gets hurried and mistimes it over the square leg region for a couple of runs. Another No Ball from from Bumrah, and another Free Hit will now follow.

A yorker to the left-hander first up. Right in the blockhole and attacking the pads, with a hint of shape back in. Maaz Sadaqat goes for the flick but misses and gets pinged on the pads.

First runs off the bat. Back of a length again, angling back into the ribs. Farhan hops and dabs it down to mid-wicket for a single.

Oh, my! That's a steepler from Bumrah. Back of a length and on off, the ball darts back in sharply with extra bounce. Farhan is completely taken aback and nearly gets hit flush on the grill of the helmet, but thankfully, he wears it on the arms instead.

That's a top delivery, and the Free Hit costs nothing. Full and straight, spearing it in at the toes. Sahibzada Farhan fails to flick it away and wears it on the inner side of the pads.

Ooh, good carry right away. On a good length, it is an outswinger, and the ball deviates away with a lot more extra bounce. Sahibzada Farhan lets it go, playing inside the line of the ball, as Sanju Samson collects it around his face. Uh, oh! Jasprit Bumrah has overstepped big time here, and a No Ball is called. Free Hit upcoming...

DROPPED! Seemed to be going over, but Sufyan Moqim did reach it, and he'll be disappointed to have put it down. Tilak Varma gets a single, and India finish with 211/6 on the board. Ahmed Daniyal hits a hard length and bowls it slightly wide of the off stump. Varma makes room to go over the off side, but slices it off the outside edge over short third, where Moqim puts in a late leap over his right shoulder and spills it, allowing the batters to cross.

Excellent running, and the throw isn't the best either. Tilak Varma gets to his FIFTY off just 21 balls. Slower and shorter, wide outside off. Varma leans back and across to the off side, angling the pull through square leg for two runs. This has been a momentum-shifting knock from Tilak.

SIX! That's a shot and a half from Varma. Good length on middle, Varma collapses the back knee a bit and swings it handsomely behind square leg for another biggie. That was more of a wallop from Varma, and a classy one as well.

SIX! Ah, a bit unlucky for the bowler. A sharp bumper, right around the front shoulder. Tilak Varma is rushed as he tries to pull and gets a top edge that flies down to fine leg, pretty fine as well and goes over the fence. 200 up for India.

Back of a length, angled into the batter. Axar Patel stays back and tucks it down through mid-wicket for a single.

Axar Patel walks out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! A bit of respite for Pakistan, but again, the damage has already been done. A well-directed bumper from Ahmed Daniyal, dug in right around the batter's face, and a bit slower too. Shivam Dube takes it on and swivels around to pull it down to deep mid-wicket. Maaz Sadaqat is just inside the ropes and judges the flight of the ball well, taking it to his left whilst staying away from the ropes. India are 195/6 with 5 balls remaining in the innings.

Ahmed Daniyal will bowl the final over.

A bit of cat and mouse between the batter and the bowler. Varma moves around in the crease and Ayub floats it well down leg. Varma ends up shovelling it wide of Sufyan Moqim at short fine leg for a couple of runs.

FOUR! That's gone through as well. Full and attacking the stumps, Varma goes for the reverse and hits it hard, along the turf and to the left of the diving fielder at backward point for a boundary. 21 off the over with a ball remaining.

Dragged down outside off, turning away from the left-hander. Dube reaches across and heaves it flat and down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Through the off side now, and things are going from bad to worse for Pakistan. Fired in, full and outside off. Dube shows quick hands as he jams his bat down and smacks it between cover and point for a boundary.

SIX! Wow, that's been clobbered by Dube. Ayub overcorrects and bowls it shorter, angling it into the batter. Dube lays into it and whacks it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. The 50-run stand is up between these two as well.

SIX! BANG! Tossed up outside off, Shivam Dube skips down the pitch and flat-bats it over long off to make it three sixes in a row for India. This is great acceleration at the death.

Saim Ayub will bowl the penultimate over.

SIX! In the slot and out of here. Floated up on middle, Tilak Varma takes the front leg out again and hits through the line of the ball, swinging it back over the bowler's head for another biggie. 18 off the over, and 190 is well in sight for India right now.

SIX! Smoked! A very full ball, drifted into the pads. Tilak Varma clears the front leg and thwacks it away in front of mid-wicket, sending the ball sailing over the ropes.

Lobbed up on off, enticing the batter to go after it. Dube extends the long levers but fails to get under the ball, hitting it down to long on for just a single.

A bit fuller and around off, punched away through the cover region for a single.

On a length around off, turning away from the left-hander. Varma tries to reverse sweep it over short third but misses.

FOUR! Straight back past the bowler! Tossed up, very full and outside off. Tilak Varma drills it down the ground and Sufyan Moqim fails to react in time, unable to get down to his left and the ball races away to the fence.

Sufyan Moqim is back on.

Flatter one, sliding it quickly across the batter. Dube tries to play a late cut but the ball keeps low and beats the bat.

FOUR! A bit more agricultural from Dube. Short and over leg, Dube uses his muscles to swing it away down to the square leg fence for another boundary.

WIDE! Oh, that's barely carried through. Slower and into the pitch, way outside off. Shivam Dube goes chasing after it but misses. 150 up for India now.

Good length, angled in from outside off. Varma plays a short-arm jab off the back foot and down to deep mid-wicket. The batters look for two but will have to settle with the single.

Dube thinks about stepping out, but Abrar bowls it quick and flat. Dube slams the brakes and punches it down to long on for a run.

Nagging length, drifted well into the batter. Varma backs away and hits it through wide mid on for a single.

FOUR! Varma bisects the fielders in the deep to perfection. Floated up wide outside off, Varma lunges across and drags the sweep aerially, hitting it between deep backward square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

The streak of singles is broken with a dot ball, but the boundaries have completely dried up at the moment. Flatter delivery, fired into the pads, and Tilak Varma nurdles it down to short fine leg.

Make that nine singles on the trot. Floated up on leg stump, Varma works it away in front of square leg and picks up a run.

Pushed into the legs again, gripping and turning yet again. Dube fends it away onto the on side and rotates strike. A string of eight singles in a row now for India.

Drifted into the pads, grips a bit and turns back towards the left-hander Varma dabs it around the corner on the leg side for a single.

Slower one, on a dragged length, turning from leg to middle. Dube plays it late, with gentle hands and in front of square leg for one more.

Ayub returns and starts with a gentle full toss on middle. Varma clips it to mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Looped up, full and on off, Tilak Varma turns it to the leg side and sets off for the run. Abrar Ahmed quickly moves to his left to get to the ball, picks it up, and scores a direct hit on the turn at the batter's end. However, the replay confirms that Dube has dragged his bat inside.

Flatter, shortish and on off, turns in sharply. Shivam Dube gets stuck in his crease and just hangs his bat out. It takes the inside edge and rolls towards square leg for one.

Drops it short, on middle, Tilak Varma punches it down to long on for another run.

Flighted, full and on leg, Shivam Dube clips it towards deep mid-wicket or a single.

Nicely bowled! Tossed up, full and on off, turns away a shy bit. Shivam Dube gets drawn forward to defend but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Shivam Dube walks in at number 7 for India.

OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Abrar Ahmed removes the Indian skipper. He bowls this quicker, short and just around off. Shreyas Iyer backs away and tries to slap it away. He connects well but just does not get the elevation needed. It flies flat and hard towards short cover, where Sahibzada Farhan, the Pakistani captain, takes a sharp catch with a reverse cup. India slip from 128/3 to 133/5.

Sahibzada Farhan keeps rotating his spinners, and now Abrar Ahmed is brought back into the attack.

Short again, on middle, holds up a bit. Shreyas Iyer swipes it off the inside half of the bat towards deep square leg for one more.

Dragged back, around off, Tilak Varma swats it down to long on for one.

Looped up, full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer eases it down to long on for a run.

WIDE! Flighted, full but turning down the leg side, Shreyas Iyer fails to glance it away. Wided.

Flatter, short and outside off, Tilak Varma cuts it away to deep point for a single.

Floated, full and on middle, Tilak Varma defends it on the front foot.

The vice-captain joins the captain out in the middle, as Tilak Varma walks out to bat next.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Arafat Minhas gets his second wicket of the game. He bowls this slower through the air, shortish and on off, turns in sharply. Ishan Kishan rocks back and tries to heave it across the line but is through the shot a bit too early. He plays all around it as the ball goes through and rattles the stumps behind. India are 128/4 now.

Arafat Minhas is back on, replacing Sufyan Moqim.

Dragged back, on middle and leg, Ishan Kishan clips it through mid-wicket for one.

Another wrong'un, full and on off, Ishan Kishan blocks it out.

A googly, full and around off, turns away. Ishan Kishan goes for the traditional sweeep this time but misses.

Drops it short, on middle, Shreyas Iyer punches it down to long on for another run.

Good fielding! Floated, full and around off. Ishan Kishan gets into position and reverse sweeps it wide of point. The fielder dives to his left and gets a good hand on it to make a half-stop. They cross.

Tossed up, full and on middle, turns away. Shreyas Iyer uses his feet to flick it but gets a leading edge. It rolls towards backward point for a single.

Ishan Kishan has just gone past 1000 T20I runs in 2026. He has become only the third batter, after Mohammad Rizwan and Suryakumar Yadav, to achieve this feat in a calendar year.

Pushed through quicker, shortish and around off, skids through. Ishan Kishan slashes hard at it but fails to connect. Just 4 runs off the over!

A bit short, on middle, Shreyas Iyer stays back and nudges it through mid-wicket for one.

Flighted, full and on leg, Ishan Kishan drills it down to long on for a run.

Short again and around off, Shreyas Iyer punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

WIDE! Flatter, short and down the leg side, Shreyas Iyer tries to hook it away but misses. Called a wide.

A halt in play as the keeper, Usman Khan, has taken a blow on the underside of his helmet. He signals that he is fine, but the physio comes out just to be sure. All good, and we can continue.

Fires in a yorker, just around off. Shreyas Iyer fails to squeeze it away. It bounces up and sneaks under the helmet of the keeper to hit him on the chin.

Floated, full and on middle, Shreyas Iyer looks to work it away but gets a leading edge along the ground back to the bowler.

Fires this one, full and on leg, Ishan Kishan paddles it straight to short fine. A bit to either side, and it would have been a boundary.

Appeal for LBW, but turned down! This is a googly, full and on off, turns in a long way. Shreyas Iyer goes for the reverse sweep but misses and gets hit on the thigh. It rolls towards short fine for a leg bye.

Beauty! Slows it up, full and on off, grips and turns away sharply. Shreyas Iyer looks to push it away but gets beaten on the outside edge. Does well to keep his back foot grounded.

Flighted, full and on off, Ishan Kishan stretches out in front and drills it down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Put away with ease! Saad Masood drags his length back, just outside off. Usman Khan extends his arms and slaps it away between sweeper cover and long off for a boundary.

Wrong'un, short and around off, turns away with some bounce. Ishan Kishan tries to cut it away but misses.

DRINKS! India have laid out the platform for a big score here. Anything above 150 could be a challenging target on this surface, but the Men in Blue are well on course to post a lot more. They will be hoping to bat Pakistan out of the game and not give them any sniff of getting in this game. Also, Saad Masood is back in the attack now. He went for 24 in his first over.

Nagging length, floated up on a tight line around off. Kishan gets halfway forward and blocks it behind point for a quick run. India are 114/3 at the halfway stage.

Shorter one over middle, this one shoots up a bit off the deck. Iyer stays back and slaps the pull down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Uppish, but it beats the fielder. Good length, pushing it across the off stump. Iyer rocks back and opens the bat face, scything it up and over the fielder at backward point for a boundary.

Flatter one, angled across off. Iyer stabs it down into the off side.

On the shorter side, darted into the pads. Kishan whips it away, a bit awkwardly and through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! That's just begging to be hit. A half-tracker on middle and leg, Kishan swivels onto the back foot and pulls it firmly behind square leg for a boundary.

FOUR! A hint of room on offer, and Shreyas Iyer pounces on it. Full of a good length, floated up wide of the off stump. Iyer stands tall, reaches out and hammers it through covers for a boundary. The 100 is up for India.

Good length on middle, no room on offer. Iyer manages to block it down the pitch.

Pushed through a bit quicker and on a good length, Iyer rocks back and keeps it out.

Tossed up, in and around off, Kishan pushes it to mid off for a quick single. Iyer is a bit lazy to get to the keeper's end, but makes it safely in the end.

Floated up again, outside off. Kishan leans on and strokes it away to covers.

FOUR! Edgy from Kishan. Bowled from the front of the hand and wide outside off, sliding it in. Kishan reaches out and jams his bat down, edging it down to deep third for a boundary.

Quick and short around off, dabbed away off the back foot to short third for a single.

The next batter in is Ishan Kishan.

OUT! STUMPED! Pakistan finally see the back of Abhishek Sharma, but he's done plenty of damage before walking back. Arafat Minhas offers flight again, but floats it outside the off stump this time. Sharma comes charging down the track and swings hard at it but misses it completely. Usman Khan just about manages to whip off the bails and Sharma can't get back in time. The square leg umpire raises his finger and India are now 93/3.

SIX! Clean hitting from Abhishek. Tossed up at the stumps, Abhishek Sharma dances down the track and hits through the line, whacking the ball over long on for a biggie.

Minhas sees Sharma stepping out, and shortens the length. Sharma adjusts and pads it away.

Fuller one, floated down leg. Iyer looks to flick but gets a bit of a leading edge towards mid on for one.

Length ball on off, hit away down to long off for a single.

Spin from both ends? Yes, Arafat Minhas replaces Ahmed Daniyal.

Good length wide of the off stump. Hit away off the back foot to deep backward point for a run.

DROPPED, AGAIN! Abrar Ahmed tosses this one up wide of the off stump. Abhishek Sharma goes after it for the cut but gets a big outside edge. Usman Khan hops across to his left but fails to glove it. Sharma gets yet another life, and these drops are really frustrating Pakistan now.

DROPPED! A very, very tough chance, but a chance nonetheless. Shorter one into the pitch, around off. Abhishek Sharma tries to pull off the back foot and splices it down to the right of the bowler. Abrar Ahmed dives across and gets his right hand on it but it spills out.

Floated up, full and outside off, driven away to deep cover for another single.

Abrar shortens the length, sliding it in towards middle. Sharma presses back and punches it down to long on for one more.

Fuller one, drifted into the legs. Shreyas Iyer clips it to the right of square leg and pinches a quick single.

A fantastic Powerplay for India! Despite losing two wickets, it has been the Abhishek Sharma show so far, who has notched up a fiery 20-ball half-century and is showing no signs of slowing down. Here is Abrar Ahmed to bowl now.

SIX! That's flown off the bat, and Abhishek Sharma brings up his FIFTY off just 20 balls. Back of a length, hammered into the pitch and outside off. Sharma stands tall and slams it up and over the deep extra cover fence for a six to end the Powerplay. India are flying at 81/2.

Fuller in length, slanted back in towards the stumps. Sharma goes on one knee and drives it to covers.

Wow, Abhishek Sharma gets another life here. The bowler could have easily taken a second more, or he could have even thrown it back to the onrushing keeper. Length ball at the stumps, Sharma dabs it away into the leg side and sets off for the single. The ball doesn't go far away, and Usman Khan is onto it in a flash. Sharma turns back and hopes that the bowler misses the direct hit, which he does.

Bowled from wider on the crease, from around the wicket and angled into the pads. Abhishek gets cramped for room and fails to flick it away.

WIDE! Good-length delivery, but spilled down the leg side. India are now 75/2, and there's still 4 balls to go in the Powerplay.

FIVE WIDES! That's undone everyone. Slower one, banged in well short and sailing over the batter's head. The keeper is undone by the spin and awkward bounce as the ball rolls away into the deep third fence.

Pitched up really full and on off, Sharma drives it straight to mid off.

SIX! Way too short again. Banged in around chest height, Abhishek Sharma lines it up and muscles it in front of deep square leg for a biggie.

DROPPED AGAIN! And it is Saim Ayub again! Arafat Minhas slows it up, full and around off. Shreyas Iyer backs away to loft it but gets a top edge. It flies towards sweeper cover, where once again Ayub runs forward and dives but does not grasp it. Two taken. Both batters have now got a life.

Another short delivery, on off, Shreyas Iyer stabs it out to short cover.

PUT DOWN! A good effort, but you have to take those against this Indian side. Arafat Minhas bowls this flatter, short and on middle. Abhishek Sharma gets hurried into the pull shot and mistimes it. It flies towards deep mid-wicket, where Saim Ayub comes charging forward, dives but fails to grab it. They cross.

Tossed up, full and on off, Shreyas Iyer drives it to sweeper cover for a run.

Short again, on middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma nudges it through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Welcome to the game, Arafat Minhas! Floated, short and on middle, turns in a bit. Abhishek Sharma opens up his stance and smacks it over the deep mid-wicket fence for his fourth biggie. He moves to 38 off just 12 balls.

A change from both ends, as Arafat Minhas comes on to bowl now.

Hits the deck hard, around off, Shreyas Iyer punches it towards cover. Despite the six, a very productive over from Daniyal.

WIDE! Pitched up but down the leg side, Shreyas Iyer fails to glance it away. Wided.

Shreyas Iyer is the next batter, replacing Sanju Samson.

OUT! TAKEN! Ahmed Daniyal strikes and sends Sanju Samson back for another low score in this Asian Games. This is banged into the pitch, on middle, shoots up off the deck. Samson stays back and looks to pull it away but the ball gets big and hits him high on the bat. It spoons up in the air towards mid on, where Arafat Minhas settles under it and takes a simple catch. India are 51/2 now.

Dug into the surface, just outside off, takes off a bit. Sanju Samson leaves it alone.

Hard length and around leg, Abhishek Sharma nudges it towards deep fine leg for a run.

SIX! Clean strike! Ahmed Daniyal lands this back of a length and on middle and off. Abhishek Sharma stands tall and dispatches it over the long on fence for another biggie. 50 up for India in just 3.2 overs.

Short of a length and on off, Sanju Samson runs it down to deep third for a single.

Time for a bowling change? Yes, indeed. Ahmed Daniyal comes in to bowl his right-arm medium pace now.

FOUR! Best of the lot! Saim Ayub bowls this quicker, a bit fuller and on middle. Abhishek Sharma keeps his weight on the back foot and muscles it over the bowler's head for four more runs.

FOUR! Up and over! Another short delivery, on off. Abhishek Sharma stays back in his crease and flat-bats it. He does not get it from the middle but gets enough to clear mid on as the ball bounces over the fence for a boundary.

SIX! Short and punished! Saim Ayub drags his length back, just around off. Abhishek Sharma picks it up early, hangs back and powers it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

Arm ball, short again, angling in. Abhishek Sharma stays back to clip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads. A slight appeal for LBW, but turned down.

Shorter in length, on middle, Sanju Samson flicks it off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single.

Sanju Samson walks out to the middle, at number 3 for India.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Saim Ayub gets a massive wicket for Pakistan. He floats it up, shortish and on off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi changes his stance early and goes for a premeditated reverse sweep, but he goes through the shot early as the ball stops on him. It takes the gloves and goes behind, where Usman Khan juggles it a couple of times but grabs it in the end. There is an appeal and up goes the finger. Abhishek Sharma at the other end looks very disappointed with how Vaibhav got out. India are 28/1 now.

FOUR! Makes full use of the Free Hit! Saad Masood goes short and wide outside off again. Abhishek Sharma steps across, extends his arms to reach out and smashes it over extra cover for four more runs. 24 runs off the over.

There's a bit of a holdup in the play, not quite sure why. Actually, there was a check for a No Ball it seems, and Saad Masood did overstep. A Free Hit to follow...

WIDE! Flighted, full and outside off, turns further away. Abhishek Sharma leaves it alone. Wided. Oh..hang on! The third umpire confirms that Masood has overstepped here. It is called a No Ball. Free Hit up next.

SIX! Abhishek Sharma's turn now! Shorter in length and on middle and off. Abhishek stays back, gets on top of the bounce and swats it over the long on fence for half a dozen more.

Dragged back, outside off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reaches out and slaps it to sweeper cover for a single.

SIX MORE! Saad Masood drags his length back this time, on off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stands tall, uses his bottom hand and heaves it over the deep mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

SIX! The party has started! Tossed up, full and just on off. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gets down on one knee, fetches it out and launches it over the long on fence for the first biggie of the game.

Saad Masood begins with a googly, short and around off, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi cuts it away to point.

Very tidy from Saim Ayub to begin with. Saad Masood will start from the other end.

Pushed through quicker, full and on leg, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi works it down to long on for one more. Just 4 runs off the first over!

Another short delivery, around off, turns away but holds up on the surface. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi reaches out and stabs it to short cover.

Sticks to the shorter length, angling into the body of the batter. Abhishek Sharma loses his bottom hand and tucks it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Dragged back, around off, Abhishek Sharma opens the bat face and steers it towards point.

Drops it short, on middle and leg, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi nudges it towards mid-wicket for a single. First runs off the bat!

WIDE! Big turn! Floated, full and outside off, turns a long way over the tramline. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi leaves it alone. India are underway with extras!

Saim Ayub starts with a flatter delivery, short and on middle, angling in. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi stays back and punches it to short cover.

Done and dusted with the pre-match proceedings, it is now time to play. The umpires are out there in the middle, and the players of Pakistan can be seen in a huddle before taking their places on the field. It will be the hard-hitting southpaw duo of Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to open the innings for India. Saim Ayub will kick things off with the ball, with his off-spin. Let's play...

We are moments away from the Gold Medal game. But first, the two sets of players lineup for their respective national anthems. It will be the national anthem of India first, followed by that of Pakistan.

Pakistan (Playing XI) - Sahibzada Farhan (C), Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan (WK), Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Saad Masood (In place of Mohammad Wasim), Abrar Ahmed, and Sufyan Moqim.

India (Unchanged Playing XI) - Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, and Jasprit Bumrah.

TOSS - The coin flip lands in favour of India. They will BAT first.

India looking to defend their crown - India, meanwhile, produced a commanding performance against Sri Lanka in the second semi-final. Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 80 provided the platform with the bat, while the bowling attack ran through Sri Lanka to secure a 124-run victory. However, the struggle against spin was visible, an area that Pakistan will try to exploit. The defending champions will now face a very different challenge, with the Men in Green expected to provide a much stronger test across all departments. India will be looking to carry the confidence from that performance into the biggest game of the tournament. Stay tuned for the toss and other updates.

Pakistan arrive with confidence - Pakistan booked their place in the final with a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a rain-shortened semi-final, recovering from 53/4 before Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz finished the chase. Their route to the final has demanded some adaptability, and they will need that again against an Indian side with plenty of experience in the squad. The challenge will be to handle the occasion and make their batting and bowling resources count across what they hope will be a full contest.

Gold is the prize - Welcome to Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, where Pakistan and India meet in the Gold Medal Match of the Asian Games 2026. The tournament has finally reached the contest everyone would have wanted to see, with two of the biggest rivals in world cricket going head-to-head for the top prize. India are the defending champions and will be looking to retain their title, while Pakistan have the opportunity to claim their first men's cricket gold at the Asian Games.

... MATCH DAY ...

The last hurdle - It's that time of year again, when the whole world seems to pause for one fixture. Billions of eyes lock onto this rivalry, and it is never just cricket, India and Pakistan turn every sport they share into an event of its own. This time it's the Gold Medal match of the 2026 Asian Games at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, and despite all the memorable matches these two have shared across ICC events over the years, this is the first time they collide on the Asian Games stage. The consolation, if it can even be called that, is that both sides will walk away with a medal regardless. But gold will always taste sweeter than silver, and that is exactly what both camps will be fighting for out there. Double glory on cards? The gold rush began a few days back. Harmanpreet Kaur and the Women in Blue got things going with an emphatic win over Sri Lanka Women, successfully defending their title. The Men in Blue now have the chance to make it a clean sweep for India. Rain had the final word last time around, washing out their 2023 final against Afghanistan, but this time the skies look a lot kinder. Shreyas Iyer and company enjoyed direct qualification straight to the quarterfinal courtesy of their higher ranking, but their quarterfinal fixture, against Afghanistan once again, was washed out too, handing them a route into the semifinal without needing to lift a bat or ball. Against Sri Lanka, albeit a fairly inexperienced side, they were utterly ruthless, skittling them for 45, their lowest-ever T20I total, while defending 170, and that result booked their place in the final. Irons to wrinkle - India were almost flawless in their semifinal against Sri Lanka, but just as it did in that one-off T20I against Japan, a familiar weakness crept back in, the struggle against spin on rank turning surfaces. Had Ishan Kishan not produced his brave rescue act of 80 off 46, India could easily have been staring at a fragile total. Beyond him and Sooryavanshi, though, the rest of the batting looked a touch hasty and restless dealing with spin in particular, and that is exactly the pattern India will need the likes of Abhishek, Samson, Shreyas and Dube to fix with the bat going forward. That said, it is far from simple to go all guns blazing from ball one on a surface that has proved genuinely tough for new batters, which makes technical adaptability a non-negotiable out there. Puzzles to solve - With the ball, India have not just dominated, but they have looked genuinely intimidating. Jasprit Bumrah has led the pace charge with one thunderbolt after another. The bowling was front-loaded with spin last time around, with respect to the conditions and three frontline spinners in Axar, Bishnoi and Sundar, along with Abhishek Sharma thrown in as a fourth, part-time option. That balance meant Arshdeep Singh, who carries a fairly strong record against Pakistan in this format, had to sit out entirely. Whether he gets a recall in the final is worth watching, and if he does, the question then becomes who makes way for him. A few selection calls remain before India take the field in the summit clash. An elusive gold chase - Pakistan, on the other hand, have never stood on top of the podium at the Asian Games, a gold medal remains the one prize that has slipped through their fingers every single time. Their best effort so far dates back to Guangzhou 2010, where bronze was the consolation, before a no-show in 2014 and another near miss in 2023, where Bangladesh denied them a place on the podium altogether. The Women in Green have already shown it can be done, lifting back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2014, and that contrast will only sharpen the hunger in Sahibzada Farhan's camp to finally end a desperate wait and write a new chapter in this format amid turbulent times. The positive side - One of their stronger showings of late came in the semifinal against Bangladesh, where Pakistan chased down a rain-shortened 112 with real authority. A top order collapse had them reeling at 53 for 4, but the middle order, Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad, steadied the ship in the end. Plus, the encouraging strike rates across the board will count for a great deal against a batting unit as fierce as India's. It is about time that skipper Sahibzada Farhan steps up big, the leading run-getter against India in this Pakistan squad. Maaz Sadaqat brings fresh form into the mix too, finishing third on the run charts at the recent CPL with a couple of centuries. But these conditions are a different beast altogether, and it will all come down to adaptability. A lot to prove - Bowling-wise, Pakistan will need to tighten the screws at the death. Even in a trimmed semifinal against Bangladesh, they leaked 58 runs in the final five overs, something they simply cannot afford to repeat against this Indian batting lineup. Only a handful in the bowling unit carry experience of facing India, Saim Ayub, Abrar and Sufyan Moqim among them. That inexperience, though, could cut both ways, and a bit of unpredictability from this bowling attack might actually work in Pakistan's favour if the execution comes off right. Team form (Last 5 completed T20Is, recent first) - INDIA - WWWWW | PAKISTAN - WWLWL. What to expect? Conditions have eased a touch over the last couple of games, but this is still no paradise for batters at all, with the ball gripping sharply off the surface to keep everyone honest. The numbers tell their own story. 169, posted by India themselves in the semifinal, remains the highest total of the men's competition so far. Spin has utterly dominated with 56 wickets to the pacers' 22. Expect more of the same with a tightly fought battle where patience with the bat could matter just as much as power. Here's hoping this one lives up to every bit of its billing.