NISSHIN: Pakistan produced a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first semi-final of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition, booking their place in the final after chasing down a revised target of 112 with three balls to spare at the Korogi Sports Club on Thursday.
The victory was set up by an impressive bowling performance, led by Sufiyan Muqeem, before Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz completed the job with a blistering unbeaten partnership.
With the match reduced to 13 overs per side because of a wet outfield, Bangladesh posted 111/7 after being asked to bat first. Pakistan then reached 112/4 in 12.3 overs to seal a comprehensive win.
Pakistan’s chase initially appeared to be in trouble.
Captain Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for just one in the opening over with Pakistan on six. Maaz Sadaqat briefly provided momentum, striking two fours and a six before falling to Nasum Ahmed for a seven-ball 15.
Saim Ayub, promoted to No. 5, continued the aggressive approach and smashed Mustafizur Rahman for two sixes and a four. However, the experienced Bangladesh pacer had the final say, dismissing Ayub for 21 from 12 balls.
Pakistan were reduced to 53/4 when Usman Khan fell to Rishad Hossain on the first ball of the seventh over, leaving Bangladesh with a chance to make a comeback.
That opportunity, however, disappeared quickly.
Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz launched a counter-attack, taking the Bangladesh bowlers apart and completely shifting the momentum in Pakistan’s favour.
The pair added an unbeaten 69 runs from just 32 deliveries to finish the chase in style.
Samad was the chief aggressor, smashing an unbeaten 30 from only 15 balls, including five fours and a six. Hasan Nawaz provided excellent support, remaining unbeaten on 27 off 22 deliveries.
For Bangladesh, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman claimed one wicket each.
Muqeem leads Pakistan’s bowling effort
Earlier, Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan won the toss and opted to field, a decision that paid dividends as Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals.
Bangladesh’s opening pair of Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan Tamim added 17 runs before Arafat Minhas struck in the second over, removing Tanzid for seven off five balls.
Pakistan then tightened their grip on the innings as Saim Ayub dismissed Bangladesh captain Litton Das for two, while Minhas returned to remove Parvez Hossain Emon for one.
At 21/3, Bangladesh needed a substantial partnership to rebuild their innings.
Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy responded with a 24-run stand before Sufiyan Muqeem broke through in the seventh over. Saif made 19 from 17 deliveries, including two sixes and a four.
Hridoy then combined with Mosaddek Hossain to produce Bangladesh’s biggest partnership of the innings. The pair added 53 runs for the fifth wicket before Muqeem struck twice in the penultimate over.
Hridoy top-scored for Bangladesh with a powerful 42 off 25 balls, hitting four sixes and two fours. Mosaddek contributed 11 from 16 deliveries.
Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain added eight and two not out respectively as Bangladesh finished on 111/7.
Muqeem was Pakistan’s standout bowler, finishing with 3/26 from his three overs. Minhas claimed two wickets, while Ayub took one.
Pakistan’s strong finish with the bat ensured that Bangladesh’s competitive total was never enough, as the Green Shirts marched into the Asian Games men’s cricket final.
