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Tilak Varma Shines in Asian Games Final Against Pakistan
Confirmed
In Short: In the Asian Games final against Pakistan, Tilak Varma delivered a crucial innings, scoring an unbeaten 51 off just 22 balls to help India secure a strong finish.
There is something about big finals that brings out the best in Tilak Varma, according to The Indian Express. In this match, he walked in with Pakistan's bowlers on top and the required rate climbing.
Varma took his time against Pakistan’s spinners, rotating the strike and waiting for the balls he could hit effectively.
This performance was reminiscent of his innings in last year’s Asia Cup final, where he also faced Pakistan.
Varma clearly enjoys batting against Pakistan, as evidenced by his consistent performances in high-stakes matches.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's cricket team is facing a challenging period. They have been struggling in the ongoing Test series against England, losing the first two matches and making sweeping changes to their squad.
Interim Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson, who recently prepared for the Asian Games in Japan, has replaced Sarfaraz Ahmed as head coach.
Pakistan's performance in the third Test at Edgbaston was poor, with England's bowlers dismantling their top order. England won the toss and elected to field, while Pakistan made three changes and handed Test debuts to Imran Randhawa, Razaullah, and Ghazi Ghori.
England's seamers, including Ollie Robinson and Jofra Archer, took early wickets, and Josh Tongue collected three wickets as Pakistan struggled to 100 for seven at lunch.
In the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, Pakistan's path to the semi-finals is in jeopardy after a crushing seven-wicket defeat against India.
India dismantled Pakistan for just 55 in 18.1 overs before racing to 57 for three in only 8.4 overs, completing the chase with 68 balls remaining.
This defeat has significantly impacted Pakistan's net run rate, dropping it to approximately -0.569, while India have completed the group stage with three wins and six points, securing their place in the semi-finals.
What this adds
The Indian Express highlights Varma's consistent performances in finals against Pakistan, but does not provide specific details about the current Asian Games match beyond his score.
The BBC and Independent reports focus on Pakistan's struggles in the Test series against England, but do not mention Varma or the Asian Games cricket final.
What's confirmed
- Pakistan will look to avoid a 3-0 clean sweep in the third Test against England at Edgbaston Interim Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson said his players are used to "chaos" after the tourists dropped seven players and called up seven others for the final Test against England.
What's still developing
- 😮💨 Watch Pakistan vs India in the 20th Asian Games Gold Medal Match, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV.
- #SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #AsianGames #AichiNagoya2026 … pic.twitter.com/jCZu7ZAREJ — Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) October 3, 2026 There was a similar quality to his innings in last year’s Asia Cup final, also against Pakistan.
- "Pakistan is known for the pace, unusual actions, mystery spin – we haven't really been able to present any of that." On Friday, Pakistan trained at the indoor centre at Edgbaston because of wet weather in Birmingham.
- Pakistan are bidding to stave off embarrassment after reacting to going 2-0 down by banishing seven players and two coaches, but a new-look XI floundered amid a relentless onslaught from the hosts.
- Robinson found the outside edge of Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood bizarrely skewed Archer to young substitute fielder Theo Wylie and when captain Babar Azam had his off-stump knocked back by Tongue, all of Pakistan’s top-five were out for single figures.
- Embattled Pakistan were shown no mercy as England’s seamers tore through the tourists’ flimsy batting in a one-sided opening session of the dead-rubber third Test at Edgbaston.
- Saim Ayub – one of four changes to Pakistan’s line-up from Lord’s alongside debutants Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Imran and Razaullah – overturned one leg-before verdict but not a second.
- However, Tongue thudded into Ghori’s back pad and the fast bowler speared a yorker through Imran, leaving Pakistan seven down 10 minutes before lunch.
- Razaullah, though, dug in alongside Shakeel (37 not out) as Pakistan avoided the nadir of being bowled out before the lunch interval.
- Pakistan, meanwhile, brought Saim Ayub back into the lineup after he last represented the national Test side in 2025 against South Africa.
- Pakistan trail 2-0 in the three-match series after suffering heavy defeats in the opening two Tests.
- England then made 208 in their second innings, setting Pakistan a target of 389, but the visitors were bowled out for 194.