Pakistan have reached the final of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket tournament for the first time, beating Bangladesh in a semi-final shortened to 13 overs a side by a wet outfield.
Bangladesh’s innings
Pakistan chose to field, and their bowlers struck regularly, with spin useful on the surface. Towhid Hridoy top-scored with 42 off 25 balls, while Saif Hassan made 19 and Mahedi Hasan hit a late boundary. Sufyan Moqim was the best of the bowlers with 3/26, and Arafat Minhas took two wickets. Bangladesh finished on 111/7, helped by 15 wides.
A shaky chase
Pakistan lost captain Sahibzada Farhan in the first over. Maaz Sadaqat hit a six and a four before falling for 15 off seven balls. Saim Ayub then took on Mustafizur Rahman with two sixes and a four before being caught at deep mid-wicket, and Rishad Hossain removed Usman Khan to leave Pakistan 53/4.
Nawaz and Samad finish it
Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad turned the game. Nawaz went after Nasum Ahmed and Samad targeted Shoriful Islam, and an over from Mustafizur that cost 23 runs swung the match decisively. Nawaz ended on 27 not out from 22 balls and Samad on 30 not out, and a boundary off Rishad sealed a chase of 112/4 in 11.3 overs, with nine balls to spare.
Pakistan now play for the men’s gold medal.
