Pakistan booked their place in the Asian Games men’s cricket final on Thursday after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-affected semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nishin, Japan.
Bangladesh, led by Litton Das, were unable to defend a total of 111 for seven in a match reduced to 13 overs because of a delayed start caused by a wet outfield. Pakistan reached 112 for four in 11.3 overs, securing victory with nine deliveries and six wickets still in hand.
The result ended Bangladesh’s hopes of competing for the gold and silver medals. They will now turn their attention to the bronze-medal match scheduled for Saturday, 3 October.
Bangladesh were immediately placed under pressure after being asked to bat first. Pakistan’s spinners made effective use of the shortened contest, and Bangladesh lost three wickets for just 21 runs during the early stages of their innings.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored 17 before being dismissed, while Parvez Hossain Emon and captain Litton Das failed to provide the stability Bangladesh needed. Litton made only two runs. Saif Hasan then attempted to rebuild the innings, but his dismissal for 19 left Bangladesh struggling at 45 for four.
Towhid Hridoy and Mosaddek Hossain responded with an attacking partnership that briefly changed the momentum of the match. The pair added 53 runs from just 30 deliveries for the fifth wicket, taking Bangladesh past the 100-run mark and giving their bowlers a total to defend.
Hridoy was the standout performer with the bat. He struck 42 from 25 balls, producing a series of aggressive shots as Bangladesh attempted to maximise every remaining delivery. His innings ended at a crucial point, however, when Pakistan spinner Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed him and Mosaddek with successive deliveries.
The double blow slowed Bangladesh’s scoring towards the end of the innings. Sheikh Mahedi Hasan contributed a late boundary, but Bangladesh eventually finished on 111 for seven from their allotted 13 overs. Muqeem was Pakistan’s most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 26 runs.
Pakistan’s chase did not begin smoothly either. Bangladesh’s bowlers kept the pressure on and reduced Pakistan to 53 for four. Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan were among the batters dismissed during that period, giving Bangladesh a genuine chance of defending their total.
That opportunity disappeared when Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz produced a decisive fifth-wicket stand. The pair remained unbeaten and added 59 runs to take Pakistan safely across the target.
Samad supplied the late acceleration, scoring 30 from only 15 deliveries. Hasan Nawaz provided support at the other end, finishing unbeaten on 27 from 22 balls. Pakistan completed the chase at 112 for four after 11.3 overs.
For Bangladesh, Sheikh Mahedi Hasan took one wicket for 17 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman claimed one for 41.
Although the defeat ended Bangladesh’s route to the final, their Asian Games campaign is not yet over. They will have one more opportunity to secure a medal when they face the other losing semi-finalist in the third-place play-off on Saturday.
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.
