Nisshin, October 1, 2026: Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semi-final of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition at Korogi Sports Club on Thursday, booking a final against arch-rivals India.
Chasing a revised target of 112 in 13 overs after the match was reduced due to a wet outfield, Pakistan reached the target for the loss of four wickets with three balls to spare.
Pakistan suffered an early setback when captain Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for one in the opening over with six runs on the board.
Maaz Sadaqat provided a brief counterattack, hitting two fours and a six before falling to Nasum Ahmed for 15 off seven balls.
Saim Ayub then struck two sixes and a four off Mustafizur Rahman but the experienced pacer responded by dismissing him for 21 off 12 deliveries.
Usman Khan, batting at No. 3, added 15 runs with Hasan Nawaz before being dismissed by Rishad Hossain on the first ball of the seventh over, leaving Pakistan at 53-4.
Abdul Samad then joined Hasan Nawaz and turned the match decisively in Pakistan’s favour. The pair launched a counterattack and remained unbeaten on a 69-run fifth-wicket partnership from just 32 balls.
Samad top-scored with an unbeaten 30 off 15 balls, hitting five fours and a six, while Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 27 off 22 deliveries.
For Bangladesh, Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain and Nasum Ahmed took one wicket each.
Earlier, Bangladesh were restricted to 111-7 in their allotted 13 overs after Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan won the toss and elected to field.
Bangladesh openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim put together 17 runs before Arafat Minhas dismissed Tanzid for seven off five balls.
Pakistan then struck twice in quick succession, with Saim Ayub removing Bangladesh captain Litton Das for two and Minhas dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon for one to reduce Bangladesh to 21-3.
Towhid Hridoy joined Saif Hassan and helped rebuild the innings with a 24-run fourth-wicket partnership. Saif was eventually dismissed by Sufiyan Muqeem in the seventh over after scoring 19 off 17 balls, including two sixes and a four.
Hridoy then combined with Mosaddek Hossain for a rapid 53-run fifth-wicket stand. Both batters were dismissed by Muqeem in the penultimate over.
Hridoy top-scored for Bangladesh with 42 off 25 balls, including four sixes and two fours, while Mosaddek made 11 from 16 deliveries.
Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain added unbeaten contributions of eight and two, respectively, to take Bangladesh past the 100-run mark.
Muqeem was Pakistan’s leading bowler, finishing with three wickets for 26 runs from his three overs. Minhas claimed two wickets, while Ayub took one.
India reach final
In the second semi-final, India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs to secure their place in the final.
India set Sri Lanka a target of 170 runs before bowling them out for 45 to complete a comprehensive victory.
The Asian Games men’s cricket final between Pakistan and India will be played on October 3.
