Pakistan stormed into the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final after beating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened first semi-final at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, on Thursday. With the match reduced to 13 overs per side, Pakistan chased down Bangladesh’s 111/7 in just 11.3 overs to book their place in the gold-medal clash.
Hridoy leads Bangladesh recovery before Pakistan finish strongly
Asked to bat first after Pakistan won the toss, Bangladesh endured a difficult start on a surface offering assistance to the spinners. Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon fell cheaply, while captain Litton Das was dismissed for just two. Saif Hassan contributed 19 off 17 balls, but Bangladesh were reduced to 45/4.
Towhid Hridoy then provided the crucial impetus, smashing 42 off only 25 deliveries, including two fours and four sixes. He added 53 runs with Mosaddek Hossain, who made 11, to revive Bangladesh’s innings. However, Sufyan Moqim broke the partnership and finished with 3/26, while Arafat Minhas claimed 2/23 as Bangladesh were restricted to 111/7.
Pakistan’s chase also began precariously. Captain Sahibzada Farhan departed for one before Maaz Sadaqat scored a brisk 15 off seven balls. Saim Ayub kept the chase moving with 21 off 12, including two sixes, but Pakistan slipped to 53/4 after Usman Khan fell for 14.
With the game finely poised, Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz produced a decisive finishing partnership. Samad smashed an unbeaten 30 off just 15 balls, striking five fours and a six, while Nawaz remained unbeaten on 27 off 22 deliveries. Their unbroken 59-run stand took Pakistan to 112/4 in 11.3 overs, sealing a six-wicket victory with nine balls remaining. The win sends Pakistan into Saturday’s gold-medal match, while Bangladesh will contest the bronze-medal match.
Brief Scores: Bangladesh 111/7 in 13 overs (Towhid Hridoy 42, Saif Hassan 19; Sufyan Moqim 3-26, Arafat Minhas 2-23) lost to Pakistan 112/4 in 11.3 overs (Abdul Samad 30, Hasan Nawaz 27, Saim Ayub 21; Rishad Hossain 1-12) by 6 wickets
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