Pakistan reach Asian Games final

Pakistan reach Asian Games final

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semi-final of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket competition at Korogi Sports Club on Thursday, securing a place in the gold-medal match.

Chasing 112 in a rain-affected 13-over contest, Pakistan reached 112-4 with nine balls remaining after recovering from early setbacks.

Pakistan lost four wickets for 53 runs in 6.1 overs, leaving the chase in a difficult position. Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz then turned the game around with an unbeaten 59-run partnership from 32 balls.

Samad played the key attacking role, scoring an unbeaten 30 off 15 balls with five fours and a six. Hasan Nawaz contributed an unbeaten 27 off 22 deliveries as the pair guided Pakistan safely home.

Bangladesh’s Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain and Nasum Ahmed took one wicket each.

Earlier, Pakistan restricted Bangladesh to 111-7 after captain Sahibzada Farhan chose to field following the toss. The match started late because of a wet outfield and officials reduced it to 13 overs per side.

Bangladesh struggled early and fell to 21-3 in the fourth over. Towhid Hridoy then launched a counterattack, hitting 42 from 25 balls, including two fours and four sixes.

Sufiyan Muqeem ended Hridoy’s resistance and finished with excellent figures of 3-26. Arafat Minhas claimed two wickets, while Saim Ayub took one as Pakistan’s bowlers kept Bangladesh to a manageable total.