Pakistan reached the Asian Games men’s cricket final on Thursday after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nishin, Japan.
Bangladesh, led by Litton Das, were restricted to 111 for seven in 13 overs after a wet outfield delayed the start and forced the match to be reduced in length. Pakistan then chased the revised target of 112 in 11.3 overs, finishing on 112 for four with nine deliveries to spare.
The defeat ended Bangladesh’s hopes of competing for the gold or silver medal. Their campaign, however, remains alive, with a bronze-medal play-off against the other losing semi-finalist scheduled for Saturday, 3 October.
Bangladesh’s innings began badly after they were sent in to bat. Pakistan’s spin attack caused immediate problems, with Bangladesh losing three wickets for only 21 runs during the early stages of the shortened innings.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored 17 before departing, while Parvez Hossain Emon also failed to stay at the crease for long. Captain Litton Das was dismissed for just two runs, leaving Bangladesh struggling to build momentum.
Saif Hasan attempted to steady the innings and contributed 19, but his dismissal by the leg-before-wicket route left Bangladesh at 45 for four. The team were in serious danger of posting a total that would be difficult to defend.
Towhid Hridoy and Mosaddek Hossain then provided a much-needed response. The pair added 53 runs from only 30 balls for the fifth wicket, taking Bangladesh beyond 100 and giving the bowlers something to work with.
Hridoy played the leading role in the recovery. He scored 42 from 25 deliveries, combining controlled strokeplay with aggressive hitting in an effort to maximise the limited number of overs available.
Pakistan, though, struck at a crucial stage. Spinner Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed Hridoy and Mosaddek with successive deliveries, preventing Bangladesh from finishing their innings with greater momentum. Sheikh Mahedi Hasan added a late boundary, but Bangladesh eventually closed on 111 for seven.
Muqeem was Pakistan’s most effective bowler, taking three wickets for 26 runs.
Pakistan’s chase initially gave Bangladesh renewed hope. The target was modest, but Pakistan also lost wickets regularly and were reduced to 53 for four. Bangladesh’s bowlers removed Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan, among others, and the semi-final appeared finely balanced.
The decisive partnership came at the fifth wicket. Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten and put together 59 runs to take Pakistan over the line.
Samad provided the acceleration Pakistan required, hitting 30 from just 15 balls. Hasan Nawaz played a supporting role, finishing unbeaten on 27 from 22 deliveries. Pakistan reached 112 for four in 11.3 overs to secure their place in the final with six wickets in hand.
For Bangladesh, Sheikh Mahedi Hasan took one wicket for 17 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman claimed one for 41.
The result means Pakistan will now compete for the Asian Games gold medal, while Bangladesh’s focus shifts to the bronze-medal contest. Despite missing out on the final, a victory in that match would still give Bangladesh an opportunity to finish the tournament with a medal.
Brief scores
Bangladesh: 111/7 in 13 overs — Towhid Hridoy 42, Saif Hasan 19, Tanzid Hasan Tamim 17; Sufiyan Muqeem 3/26.
Pakistan: 112/4 in 11.3 overs — Abdul Samad 30*, Hasan Nawaz 27*, Usman Khan 14; Sheikh Mahedi Hasan 1/17, Mustafizur Rahman 1/41.
