Bangladesh lose Asian Games Cricket Final spot to Pakistan

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened men’s cricket semifinal at the Asian Games on Thursday (October 1), ending Litton Das’s side’s hopes of reaching the final.

Set a revised target of 112 in 13 overs, Pakistan reached 115 for four with nine balls to spare in Nishine, Japan, securing a place in the gold-medal match.

After this defeat, Bangladesh will now compete for bronze.

Pakistan were briefly in trouble at 53 for four after Bangladesh’s bowlers made early inroads. Sahibzada Farhan fell for one, followed by Maaz Sadaqat for 15, Saim Ayub for 21 and Usman Khan for 14.

Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad then turned the match around with an unbeaten 59-run fifth-wicket partnership. Hasan finished on 27 and Samad on 30 as Pakistan completed the chase without further damage.

Earlier, Bangladesh were reduced to 45 for four after being sent in to bat following Pakistan’s decision at the toss. Saif Hassan made 19, Tanzid Hasan Tamim seven, captain Litton Das two and Parvez Hossain Emon one.

Towhid Hridoy and Mosaddek Hossain then steadied the innings with a 53-run partnership. Hridoy struck 42 off 25 balls, including four sixes and two fours, before falling at 98. Mosaddek made 11 off 16 balls, while Rishad Hossain was dismissed off the final delivery as Bangladesh finished on 111 for seven.

Sufiyan Muqeem took three wickets for Pakistan, while Arafat Minhas claimed two and Saim Ayub one.

The match began about 90 minutes behind schedule because of rain and was reduced to 13 overs per side.