Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games were ended by Pakistan on Thursday, as a spirited effort from Towhid Hridoy was not enough to prevent a six-wicket defeat at Korogi Sports Park in Nishin, Japan.
In the first semi-final, Bangladesh were restricted to 111 for seven from 13 overs after rain delayed the start and forced the match to be reduced. Pakistan then chased down the revised target of 112 with nine balls to spare, finishing on 112 for four in 11.3 overs.
The defeat means Bangladesh will no longer compete for the gold or silver medal. The side led by Litton Das will instead have to settle for a place in the bronze-medal contest.
Bangladesh’s innings got off to a difficult start against Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack. They lost three wickets for only 21 runs during the early stages, leaving the batting side under considerable pressure in the shortened contest.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim provided a brief contribution of 17 before departing, while Parvez Hossain Emon and captain Litton Das also fell cheaply. Litton managed only two runs. Saif Hasan attempted to stabilise the innings, but his dismissal for 19 left Bangladesh at 45 for four.
At that stage, Hridoy and Mosaddek Hossain took responsibility for rebuilding the innings. The pair produced an aggressive fifth-wicket partnership worth 53 runs from just 30 deliveries, taking Bangladesh beyond the 100-run mark and giving the team a competitive total to defend.
Hridoy was the main aggressor. He struck 42 from 25 balls, producing the sort of quick scoring that Bangladesh needed in a 13-over innings. His dismissal, however, came at a crucial moment. Sufiyan Muqeem removed Hridoy and Mosaddek with successive deliveries, disrupting Bangladesh’s momentum towards the end of the innings.
Sheikh Mahedi Hasan added a boundary late on, but Bangladesh could manage only 111 for seven. For Pakistan, Sufiyan was the leading bowler, taking three wickets for 26 runs.
Pakistan also experienced an early setback during the chase. They lost four wickets for 53 runs, giving Bangladesh a realistic opportunity to defend their modest total. Bangladesh’s bowlers dismissed Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan among the early casualties, keeping the contest alive.
The match, however, slipped away from Bangladesh through a decisive fifth-wicket partnership. Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten to add 59 runs and guide Pakistan across the finish line.
Samad provided the decisive acceleration, scoring 30 from only 15 deliveries. Hasan Nawaz supported him with an unbeaten 27 off 22 balls. Together, they ensured Pakistan reached 112 for four in 11.3 overs, with six wickets still available.
For Bangladesh, Sheikh Mahedi Hasan took one wicket for 17 runs, while Mustafizur Rahman claimed one for 41.
Although Bangladesh have missed out on the final, their medal campaign at the Asian Games is not over. They are scheduled to play the third-place match on Saturday, 3 October, with a bronze medal at stake.
Brief scores
Bangladesh: 111/7 in 13 overs — Towhid Hridoy 42, Saif Hasan 19, Tanzid Hasan Tamim 17; Sufiyan Muqeem 3/26.
Pakistan: 112/4 in 11.3 overs — Abdul Samad 30*, Hasan Nawaz 27*, Usman Khan 14; Sheikh Mahedi Hasan 1/17, Mustafizur Rahman 1/41.