Iyer and Farhan skip handshake as India defeats Pakistan in Asian Games gold match

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men's cricket gold medal match at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, to claim the gold medal. India posted 211/6 in their 20 overs before restricting Pakistan to 192/6 in their allotted 20 overs.After India's victory, the players did not exchange the customary handshake with their Pakistani counterparts. The development continued the no-handshake pattern that has been seen during recent India-Pakistan cricket meetings. The two captains, Shreyas Iyer and Sahibzada Farhan, had also skipped the handshake during the toss before the final.India Won Asian Games Gold ClinchesNo Handshake #indiavspakistan #asiangames #cricraga pic.twitter.com/rHEUnYd060— CricRaga (@CricRaga) October 3, 2026 India's batting effort was led by Abhishek Sharma, who smashed 61 off 28 balls, including three fours and seven sixes. Tilak Varma provided the late impetus with an unbeaten 51 off 22 balls, while Shivam Dube contributed 27 off 15 deliveries as India finished with 211/6.Pakistan faced a challenging target of 212 and finished on 192/6 after 20 overs. India's bowlers managed to keep the Pakistan batting line-up from completing the chase, securing a 19-run victory and another gold medal for the Indian contingent at the Asian Games. Congratulations #TeamIndia for successfully defending the Asian Games Gold Medal Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/g4wzZagyGj#AsianGames pic.twitter.com/sg7z4dhUzH— BCCI (@BCCI) October 3, 2026 The no-handshake moment after the final attracted attention because the practice has continued in India-Pakistan cricket since their meetings at the 2025 Asia Cup. However, the pattern has largely been specific to cricket; Indian and Pakistani athletes have exchanged greetings in other sports at the ongoing Asian Games.India's men's cricket gold adds to the country's strong campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The victory also gives India back-to-back Asian Games men's cricket gold medals, after the team won the title at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

Shreyas Iyer and Sahibzada Farhan maintained their no-handshake practice at the toss for the final match. This tradition has been ongoing since the 2025 Asia Cup, reflecting the tensions between India and Pakistan. India won the toss and decided to bat first in this crucial gold-medal game. India's lineup remained unchanged, featuring young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi at the top alongside Abhishek Sharma.

India captain Shreyas Iyer and Pakistan skipper Sahibzada Farhan did not shake hands during the toss ahead of the men's cricket gold medal match at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday.The two captains met for the toss before the highly anticipated India-Pakistan final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. However, the customary handshake between Iyer and Farhan was absent, continuing a pattern seen during recent India-Pakistan cricket encounters.TOSS UPDATE FOR IND vs PAK-India won the toss and chose to bat first. pic.twitter.com/zeHbk4azmX— whatever_abhi (@unfav_abhishek3) October 3, 2026 The development comes amid heightened attention around the sporting rivalry between the two neighbouring nations. India and Pakistan have not exchanged handshakes in recent cricket meetings, with the trend extending beyond cricket to some other sporting encounters between the countries.The Asian Games final marks the first meeting between India and Pakistan in men's cricket at the continental event. India entered the title clash after defeating Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the semi-final, while Pakistan secured their place in the final after beating Bangladesh by six wickets.The gold medal clash is being played at Korogi Sports Park, with Iyer leading the Indian side and Farhan captaining Pakistan. The toss was scheduled for 9:30 AM IST, with the match beginning at 10:00 AM IST.India are aiming to defend the men's cricket gold medal they won at the 2023 Asian Games, while Pakistan are competing in their first men's cricket final at the Asian Games.