India defeated their fierce rivals Pakistan by 19 runs on Saturday to claim the Asian Games cricket gold medal following a pulsating final played in front of a small but raucous crowd in Nagoya, Japan.

World T20 champions India posted a formidable 211-6 in their allotted 20 overs, driven by Abhishek Sharma's 61 and an undefeated 51 from Tilak Varma, before Hasan Nawaz's valiant 96 saw Pakistan fall just short at 192-6.

The neighboring nations meet exclusively in international tournaments on neutral territory due to ongoing political tensions, with the opposing captains refusing to exchange customary handshakes prior to the match.

Following the victory, jubilant Indian players paraded their national flag around the venue.

The high-stakes clash on a converted baseball field in Japan represented unchartered territory for the bitter rivals and the hundreds of millions of spectators following the action back home on television.

After India elected to bat, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi signaled his aggression by hitting back-to-back sixes in a 24-run second over bowled by Saad Masood.

However, the 15-year-old batting prodigy was dismissed four deliveries later for 15.

Opening partner Abhishek reached his half-century off just 20 balls to enthusiastic applause from supporters who brought a touch of South Asian cricket fever to Korogi Park Athletic Stadium in the Far East.

India benefited from erratic fielding by Pakistan, which saw Abhishek dropped twice.

He also narrowly escaped a run-out on 46 when bowler Ahmed Daniyal's throw missed the stumps and keeper with Abhishek stranded.

Following Abhishek's departure for 61, Ishan Kishan fell for 20 as the Pakistani attack began to reassert control.

When skipper Shreyas Iyer was removed shortly after for 21, India found themselves restricted to 133-5 in the 15th over.

Tilak Varma then struck four sixes while Shivam Dube contributed 27 with two maximums as the pair orchestrated a late surge, compiling 62 runs off five overs for the sixth wicket to propel India beyond the 200-mark.

Pakistan's previous highest successful second-innings chase in T20 internationals stood at 208-3 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele, and they initiated a promising start toward their target.

Opening pair Sahibzada Farhan (10) and Maaz Sadaqat put together 33 for the first wicket in 3.4 overs.

When Sadaqat departed for 23, Pakistan appeared at risk of a quick collapse.

Hasan Nawaz mounted a spirited recovery, adapting to the pitch's bounce to reach a 28-ball half-century featuring five sixes.

Supported by Saim Ayub, Hasan built an 87-run stand before Dube broke the partnership by inducing Ayub into an mistimed shot, which Washington Sundar caught running in from square leg to reduce Pakistan to 126-4 at the start of the 15th over.

Hasan continued his charge, leaving Pakistan requiring 52 runs from the final three overs when Sundar dismissed Abdul Samad to a catch at long-on.

With Pakistan at 168-5 needing 44 off two overs, India recalled Jasprit Bumrah, whose penultimate over conceded just 11 runs.

That left Pakistan requiring an improbable 33 runs off the final over, bowled by Dube.

Hasan reached 96 before falling off the last ball while attempting one final boundary hit. His 51-ball knock featured seven sixes and five fours.