NISSHIN: Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semi-final of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition on Thursday to book their place in the final.
Chasing a revised target of 112 runs in 13 overs at Korogi Sports Club, Pakistan recovered from a difficult start to reach the target with three balls to spare.
Sufiyan Muqeem was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking three wickets, while Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz produced a match-winning partnership during the chase.
Pakistan lose four wickets early
Pakistan’s pursuit got off to a shaky start when captain Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for one in the opening over with only six runs on the board.
Maaz Sadaqat briefly provided momentum, hitting two fours and a six before falling to Nasum Ahmed for 15 from seven deliveries.
Saim Ayub then launched an aggressive counterattack, smashing Mustafizur Rahman for two sixes and a four. However, the experienced pacer responded by dismissing him for 21 off 12 balls.
Usman Khan added 15 runs before Rishad Hossain dismissed him with the first delivery of the seventh over, leaving Pakistan struggling at 53/4.
Samad, Nawaz turn the match around
The game changed dramatically when Abdul Samad joined Hasan Nawaz at the crease.
The pair attacked the Bangladesh bowling from the outset and put together an unbeaten 69-run partnership from just 32 deliveries to take Pakistan across the finish line.
Samad was the main aggressor, finishing unbeaten on 30 from 15 balls with five fours and a six.
Hasan Nawaz provided valuable support with an unbeaten 27 from 22 deliveries.
Bangladesh used four bowlers to take a wicket each, but they were unable to contain the late assault from Pakistan’s middle order.
Pakistan to face Bangladesh in Asian Games 2026 cricket semi-final
Muqeem leads Pakistan bowling attack
After Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, Bangladesh were restricted to 111/7 in their allotted 13 overs.
Bangladesh started cautiously, with Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim putting together 17 runs before Arafat Minhas dismissed Tamim for seven.
Pakistan quickly tightened their grip on the innings as Saim Ayub removed Bangladesh captain Litton Das for two and Minhas dismissed Parvez Hossain Emon for one, leaving Bangladesh at 21/3.
Towhid Hridoy then joined Saif Hassan and helped rebuild the innings with a 24-run partnership.
Muqeem eventually dismissed Saif for 19 from 17 balls, with the batter hitting two sixes and a four.
Hridoy continued the recovery alongside Mosaddek Hossain, with the pair adding 53 runs for the fifth wicket.
Hridoy top-scored for Bangladesh with a rapid 42 off 25 deliveries, including four sixes and two fours. Mosaddek contributed 11 from 16 balls.
Both batters were dismissed by Muqeem in the penultimate over as Bangladesh finished on 111/7.
Muqeem ended with figures of 3/26 from three overs, while Minhas took two wickets and Ayub claimed one.
Pakistan will now play in the Asian Games cricket final after overcoming Bangladesh in the semi-final.
