India posted a mammoth 211-6 against Pakistan in the Asian Games men’s cricket final on Saturday, with explosive half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma setting up a daunting chase at Korogi Sports Park.

India opted to bat first and made a fast start as openers Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma attacked Pakistan’s bowlers from the outset.

Saim Ayub provided Pakistan with an early breakthrough when he dismissed Sooryavanshi with the first delivery of the third over, ending a 28-run opening stand. Sooryavanshi scored 15 from nine balls, including two boundaries.

Abhishek continued his aggressive assault, helping India race past 50 in the fourth over before Pakistan struck again.

Ahmed Daniyal removed Sanju Samson for two from four balls, leaving India 51-2 after 3.5 overs.

The left-hander remained undeterred and brought up his 13th T20I half-century in emphatic fashion before Arafat Minhas finally ended his charge.

Abhishek was dismissed for a blistering 61 from just 28 balls, with his innings featuring three fours and seven sixes.

Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan then rebuilt the innings, adding 35 for the fourth wicket as India moved beyond the 100-run mark.

Minhas broke the partnership by dismissing Kishan for 20 from 18 balls, including three boundaries, leaving India 128-4 after 13.1 overs.

Pakistan then claimed the important wicket of India captain Iyer, with Abrar Ahmed removing him for 21 from 24 deliveries. Iyer struck two boundaries.

Shivam Dube provided the next burst of acceleration, hitting two boundaries as India moved beyond 150 in the 17th over.

Tilak Varma then took control of the closing overs, smashing consecutive sixes against Sufiyan Muqeem in the 18th over before continuing his assault.

Daniyal struck with the first delivery of the final over to dismiss Dube for 27 from 15 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

But Varma finished strongly, hitting another six to take India past 200 before completing his half-century with another maximum.

He remained unbeaten on 51 from 22 balls, with three fours and four sixes, as India closed on 211-6.

Daniyal and Minhas claimed two wickets each for Pakistan, while Abrar and Saim took one apiece.