India to face Pakistan in Asian Games T20 cricket final after defeating Sri Lanka

Shreyas Iyer's Team India stormed their way into the Asian Games T20 final, beating Sri Lanka by 124 runs at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Thursday. Led by a stellar knock from Ishan Kishan and a supreme bowling performance, India booked a slot against Pakistan in the gold medal match of the men's T20 event, slated to be played on Sunday.

IND vs SL: As it happened Steppping out for the first time in the Asiad after their quarter-final fixture against Japan was washed out last week, India contended with a tricky pitch in the semi-final contest. Expanding their batting line-up with the inclusion of teenage star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi up top, India papered over the spin test after Sri Lanka opted to bowl first.

Returning to the XI for the first time since the Zimbabwe tour in July, Sooryavanshi's counter-attacking cameo (39) helped India overcome the early dismissals of Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. The innings found some momentum with Ishan Kishan's mature innings on a devious surface.

Countering the variable bounce and Sri Lanka's cartel of spinners, Kishan unfurled his big shots progressively as he marched to an unbeaten 80 off 46 deliveries with four fours and five sixes. FOLLOW: ASIAN GAMES 2026 DAY 13 LIVE The Lankan chase was jolted from the outset with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah snaffling two wickets within the first over.

A procession of wickets followed in equal measure by the bowlers and abject awareness. Bumrah, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and a combination of three run-outs reduced Sri Lanka to 45 all out before the half-way mark, crushing the contest in no time. 𝗪 𝗪 𝗪 to finish things off ☝️☝️☝️#TeamIndia strike thrice is as many deliveries to secure a massive win and reach the Gold Medal contest 🥳 Scorecard ▶️ pic.twitter.com/P4kb2TXIRE — BCCI (@BCCI) October 1, 2026 Earlier in the day, Pakistan entered the gold-medal match as they squeezed past Bangladesh in a match curtailed to 13 overs due to the wet weather delay.

After Bangladesh piled on 111 for seven in 13 overs, Pakistran romped through to the target in 11.3 overs with six wickets to spare. Prior to the first semi-final, six successive matches were abandoned due to adverse weather in the men's cricket event. India will now aim to defend their men's cricket gold from Hangzhou Games in 2023.

In both editions, the women's team had clinched the gold for India, beating Sri Lanka.