Saad Masood endured a nightmare over as India's Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi combined to smash 24 runs in the India vs Pakistan Asian Games 2026 final. The onslaught came in Masood's second over, with India's batters finding the boundary repeatedly in a stunning display of power hitting.
The 24-run over also became the most expensive over in an India-Pakistan T20I, surpassing Saeed Ajmal's previous mark of 22 runs.
Masood began the over with a short and wide delivery that Sooryavanshi cut towards the off side, but the ball went straight to backward point. The next delivery, however, disappeared over the bowler's head as Sooryavanshi got down on one knee and smashed the ball for six. He followed it with another maximum, pulling a short wrong'un over wide mid-wicket to bring up back-to-back sixes.
After taking a single from the fourth delivery, Sooryavanshi handed the strike back to Abhishek Sharma. Masood once again dropped short, allowing Sharma to rock back and thump the ball over mid-on for another six. The Indian opener followed it up with another maximum to make it a perfect start.
The 24-run over moved Masood past Saeed Ajmal's previous record for the most expensive over in an India-Pakistan T20I. Ajmal had conceded 22 runs at Ahmedabad in 2012, with Yuvraj Singh famously hitting three consecutive sixes during that over. Masood's latest over has now replaced that effort in the record books, adding another dramatic chapter to the India-Pakistan rivalry.
What happens if India vs Pakistan final is washed out?
There is no reserve day for the men's cricket final at the 2026 Asian Games. If the final is abandoned without a result, India and Pakistan will share the gold medal.
The Asian Games organising committee has confirmed that if the final is cancelled, both finalists will be awarded gold medals. No silver medal will be awarded in that scenario.
This is different from the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. In that edition, India's men's team was awarded gold after rain washed out the final against Afghanistan, with India benefiting from the tournament's ranking-based rule at the time. The regulations for the 2026 edition have changed.
India reach final after dominant win
India booked their place in the final with a massive 124-run victory over Sri Lanka in the semi-final. After being asked to bat first, India posted 169/7 in 20 overs before dismissing Sri Lanka for just 45.
Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Abhishek Sharma claimed two wickets each as India's bowlers completed a dominant performance.
Pakistan, meanwhile, secured their place in the gold-medal match after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-affected semi-final. The match was reduced to 13 overs per side, with Pakistan chasing down the revised target to reach the final.
The India-Pakistan clash will therefore determine the Asian Games men's cricket gold medal — unless rain prevents a result, in which case both teams will leave the competition as joint gold medallists.
