Pakistan Reach Asian Games Cricket Final After Six-Wicket Win Over Bangladesh

Pakistan beat Bangladesh by six wickets in the Asian Games men’s cricket semi-final in Nisshin on October 1. Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz guided Pakistan to the final with an unbeaten 59-run partnership.

Pakistan reached the gold-medal match after chasing Bangladesh’s 112-run target in 11.3 overs at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.

Bangladesh won the toss and Pakistan chose to field. Bangladesh scored 111 for seven in 13 overs.

Towhid Hridoy led Bangladesh with 42 from 25 balls. His innings included two fours and four sixes. Saif Hassan added 19 runs.

Sufyan Moqim took three wickets for 26 runs. Arafat Minhas took two for 23. Saim Ayub took one wicket for three runs from two overs.

Samad, Hasan Rescue Pakistan

Pakistan lost four wickets for 53 runs during the chase. Captain Sahibzada Farhan scored one run. Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan also fell before Pakistan reached 54.

Saim made 21 from 12 balls. Maaz scored 15 from seven balls.

Abdul Samad then changed the match. He scored 30 not out from 15 balls. His innings included five fours and one six.

Hasan Nawaz supported him with 27 not out from 22 balls. He hit two fours and two sixes.

The pair added 59 runs without losing a wicket. Pakistan reached 112 for four in 11.3 overs.

Pakistan will play the winner of the India-Sri Lanka semi-final in the gold-medal match on October 3. The match will also take place at Korogi Sports Park.

Pakistan entered the semi-final after its quarter-final against Hong Kong was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain. The Pakistan Cricket Board said the team advanced because of its higher ICC ranking under the tournament playing conditions.