Asian Games 2026 cricket Semi-Final: India to face Pakistan in high-voltage gold medal clash after men in blue defeat Sri Lanka
PTC News Desk: India stormed into the Asian Games men's cricket final after defeating Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semi-final. India will now face Pakistan in the final, while Sri Lanka will play Bangladesh for the bronze medal. Both matches are scheduled for Saturday.
Ishan Kishan led the way with an unbeaten 80 off 46 balls, hitting five sixes and four fours, as India posted 169/7 after being asked to bat first. Youngster Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also made a quick 38 off 21 balls, giving India a strong start.
Sri Lanka struggled badly while chasing 170. They were reduced to 31/6 during the powerplay and were eventually bowled out for just 45 runs in 9.5 overs.
Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma took two wickets each for India. Sri Lanka's collapse also included two run-outs as the batters struggled on the turning pitch.
The wickets of captain Shreyas Iyer (13) and Axar Patel (8) slowed India's scoring during the middle overs. However, Ishan Kishan then took charge against the Sri Lankan spinners.
Instead of playing horizontal-bat shots, Kishan mostly attacked the bowlers straight down the ground. Four of his five sixes came in the area between long-on and long-off. He also hit four boundaries during his unbeaten innings.
The India-Pakistan final is also expected to attract attention over whether the players will shake hands. Indian and Pakistani teams have not exchanged handshakes at recent Asia Cup and ICC events since Operation Sindoor, with Indian players using the gesture to show solidarity with the armed forces.
It remains to be seen whether that stance continues in the Asian Games final. Regardless of the result, Indian and Pakistani players will share the podium after the match.
- PTC NEWS
