Pakistan Storm Into Asian Games Final With Six-Wicket Win Over Bangladesh

Pakistan stormed into the final of the Asian Games men’s cricket tournament after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semi-final at the Korogi Sports Club on Thursday.

Chasing 112 from 13 overs after the match was reduced because of a wet outfield, Pakistan completed the target with three deliveries remaining, finishing on 115/4.

The chase did not begin smoothly for Pakistan. Captain Sahibzada Farhan departed for just one in the opening over, with only six runs on the board. Maaz Sadaqat provided some momentum with two boundaries and a six, but his entertaining seven-ball 15 was cut short by Nasum Ahmed.

Saim Ayub then added further aggression, smashing Mustafizur Rahman for two sixes and a four. His stay was brief, however, as Mustafizur responded by dismissing him for 21 from 12 balls.

Pakistan were reduced to 53/4 when Usman Khan was dismissed by Rishad Hossain at the start of the seventh over. That proved to be the turning point of the innings.

Abdul Samad joined Hasan Nawaz in the middle and the pair produced a superb counterattack. They took the Bangladesh bowlers apart, adding an unbeaten 69 runs from only 32 balls to take Pakistan across the finish line.

Samad led the charge with a brilliant 30 not out from 15 balls, hitting five fours and a six. Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 27 from 22 deliveries as Pakistan secured a place in the final.

Earlier, Bangladesh were restricted to 111/7 after being asked to bat first.

Pakistan made early inroads through Arafat Minhas, who dismissed Tanzi Hasan Tamim for seven. Saim Ayub then removed Bangladesh captain Litton Das for two, while Minhas struck again to send back Parvez Hossain Emon for one, leaving Bangladesh struggling at 21/3.

Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy attempted to rebuild the innings, adding 24 runs before Saif was dismissed by Sufiyan Muqeem for 19 from 17 balls.

Hridoy then took responsibility for the scoring and found an effective partner in Mosaddek Hossain. The pair added 53 runs in quick time, giving Bangladesh a chance of posting a competitive total.

Muqeem broke the partnership by dismissing both batters in the penultimate over. Hridoy top-scored for Bangladesh with an aggressive 42 off 25 balls, including four sixes and two fours, while Mosaddek made 11 from 16 deliveries.

Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain added the final runs to take Bangladesh to 111/7.

Sufiyan Muqeem was Pakistan’s leading bowler, finishing with 3/26 from his three overs. Arafat Minhas claimed two wickets, while Saim Ayub picked up one.

Pakistan will now play the Asian Games men’s cricket final on October 3.