Indian opener Abhishek Sharma struck a characteristic quickfire half-century as India made a strong start after being asked to bat first by Pakistan in the Asian Games men’s cricket final on Saturday.

India reached 81-2 in their six-over powerplay at the Korogi Sports Park, with Abhishek smashing six sixes and three fours in his 30-ball 52.

Pakistan did manage two breakthroughs, however, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi departing for 15 off nine balls after attempting to reverse-sweep Saim Ayub’s spin and being caught behind.

Sanju Samson was the other wicket to fall, dismissed by medium-pacer Ahmed Daniyal.

India won the toss and elected to bat first in a final that pits defending champions against a Pakistan side chasing their first men’s cricket gold at the Asian Games.

Pakistan reached the final after beating Bangladesh in the semi-final — the only match of their campaign not washed out by rain. Under captain Sahibzada Farhan, they have a settled batting core featuring Farhan, Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad.

Their bowling attack will rely heavily on spinners Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim, with the surface having already offered assistance to slower bowlers.

India, meanwhile, have Jasprit Bumrah leading their attack and Ishan Kishan in good form with the bat.

Pakistan are seeking to end their wait for a men’s Asian Games cricket gold, while India are bidding to retain the title they won in Hangzhou three years ago.

Teams:

India: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah.

Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (c), Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan (wk), Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Saad Masood, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Moqim.