Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semifinal of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition at Korogi Sports Club to book their place in the final.
Chasing 112 in a rain-shortened 13-over contest, Pakistan reached the target with four wickets down after overcoming an early collapse.
The Green Shirts lost captain Sahibzada Farhan for one in the opening over, while Maaz Sadaqat followed soon after for 15 off seven balls, leaving Pakistan under early pressure.
Saim Ayub then counterattacked with 21 off 12 deliveries, hitting two sixes and a four, before Mustafizur Rahman dismissed him in the fourth over.
Pakistan slipped to 53/4 when Usman Khan was removed by Rishad Hossain in the seventh over, but Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz took control from there.
The pair put together an unbeaten 69-run partnership from 32 balls to guide Pakistan to victory. Samad top-scored with an unbeaten 30 off 15 deliveries, including five fours and a six, while Nawaz remained not out on 27 from 22 balls.
Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain and Nasum Ahmed took one wicket each for Bangladesh.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to field after the match was reduced to 13 overs per side because of a wet outfield.
Bangladesh made 111/7 after recovering from a difficult start. Arafat Minhas dismissed Tanzid Hasan Tamim for seven before Saim Ayub bowled captain Litton Das for two. Minhas then removed Parvez Hossain Emon for one as Bangladesh slipped to 21/3.
Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy steadied the innings with a 24-run partnership before Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed Saif for 19.
Hridoy then added 53 runs with Mosaddek Hossain to rebuild the innings, but Muqeem dismissed both batters in the penultimate over.
Hridoy was Bangladesh’s top scorer with 42 off 25 balls, including four sixes and two fours, while Mosaddek made 11 from 16 deliveries.
Mahedi Hasan remained unbeaten on eight, while Rishad Hossain finished not out on two.
Muqeem was Pakistan’s best bowler, taking three wickets for 26 runs in three overs. Minhas claimed two wickets, while Ayub picked up one.
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