Pakistan reach Asian Games cricket final after six-wicket win over Bangladesh

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semi-final of the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, on Thursday to reach the gold-medal match. The match was reduced to 13 overs per side due to a wet outfield.

How did Pakistan beat Bangladesh in the Asian Games semi-final?

Pakistan chased down Bangladesh’s 112-run target in 11.3 overs after slipping to 53 for four. Abdul Samad led the recovery with an unbeaten 30 from 15 balls, while Hasan Nawaz remained not out on 27 from 22 balls.

The pair added an unbeaten 59-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Samad produced the decisive acceleration in the 10th over, helping Pakistan move from 76 for four to 99 for four and leaving only 13 runs required from the final 18 balls.

Pakistan had made an uncertain start to the chase, with captain Sahibzada Farhan falling for one before Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan also departed inside the first seven overs.

Saim had earlier provided some momentum with 21 from 12 balls, including two sixes, while T20I debutant Maaz made 15 from seven deliveries.

How did Abdul Samad turn the match in Pakistan’s favour?

With Pakistan needing 36 runs from the final four overs, Hasan Nawaz took a single from the first ball of the 10th over before Samad launched Mustafizur Rahman over long-on for six.

Samad then struck four consecutive boundaries to take 22 runs from the five balls he faced in the over. The 23-run over dramatically changed the equation, reducing Pakistan’s requirement from 36 off 24 balls to just 13 from 18.

Samad finished unbeaten on 30 from only 15 balls, hitting five fours and one six. Hasan provided steady support at the other end, ending the chase unbeaten on 27 with two fours and two sixes.

The 59-run partnership ensured Pakistan recovered from their early collapse without further damage and reached the target with nine balls remaining.

How did Bangladesh score 111 in the Asian Games semi-final?

Earlier, Bangladesh were restricted to 111 for seven from their allotted 13 overs after Pakistan won the toss and elected to field first.

Towhid Hridoy was Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer, making 42 from 25 balls. His innings included two fours and four sixes, while Saif Hassan contributed 19 runs.

Pakistan’s spinners kept Bangladesh under pressure despite Hridoy’s counterattack. Sufyan Moqim was the pick of the bowling attack with three wickets for 26 runs, while Arafat Minhas claimed two wickets for 23.

Saim Ayub also contributed with the ball, taking one wicket for just three runs from his two overs. Bangladesh ultimately finished on 111 for seven, leaving Pakistan a target of 112 from 13 overs.

Who will Pakistan face in the Asian Games cricket final?

Pakistan will face the winner of the second semi-final between India and Sri Lanka in the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition final.

The gold-medal match will be played on Saturday, October 3, at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, the same venue where Pakistan defeated Bangladesh in the semi-final.

Pakistan’s victory guarantees the team at least a silver medal and gives Sahibzada Farhan’s side a chance to compete for the Asian Games cricket gold.