Pakistan beat Bangladesh to reach Asian Games cricket final

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first men’s cricket semi-final of the 2026 Asian Games to book their place in the final.

The match, played in Nishin, Japan, was reduced to 13 overs per side because of a wet outfield.

Bangladesh, sent in to bat after Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan won the toss, posted 111 for seven in their allotted 13 overs. Pakistan chased down the target for the loss of four wickets with nine balls to spare. Pakistan will now face the winner of the second semi-final between India and Sri Lanka in the final.

Bangladesh post 111

Bangladesh openers Saif Hassan and Tanzid Hasan put together 17 runs before Arafat Minhas dismissed Tanzid in the second over.

Pakistan struck again quickly as Saim Ayub bowled Bangladesh captain Litton Das for two, while Minhas removed Parvez Hossain for one, leaving Bangladesh at 21 for three.

Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy then steadied the innings with a 24-run partnership. Saif was dismissed by Sufiyan Muqeem in the seventh over after scoring 19 off 17 balls, including two sixes and a four.

Hridoy and Mosaddek Hossain added 53 runs for the fifth wicket before both were dismissed by Muqeem towards the end of the innings.

Hridoy top-scored for Bangladesh with 42 off 25 balls, hitting four sixes and two fours, while Mosaddek made 11 off 16 balls. Mehedi Hasan remained unbeaten on eight and Rishad Hossain scored two.

Muqeem was Pakistan’s most successful bowler, taking three wickets for 26 runs in three overs. Minhas claimed two wickets, while Ayub took one.

Pakistan complete chase

Pakistan suffered an early setback when captain Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for one in the opening over, with the score at six. Muaz Sadaqat provided a quick 15 off seven balls, including two fours and a six, before falling in the following over.

Saim Ayub then scored 21 off 12 balls, striking two sixes and a four, but was dismissed by Mustafizur Rahman in the next over.

Usman Khan and Hasan Nawaz added 15 runs before Usman was dismissed by Rishad Hossain on the first ball of the seventh over, leaving Pakistan at 53 for four. Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz then took control of the chase, putting together an unbeaten 59-run partnership from just 32 balls to seal Pakistan’s place in the final.

Abdul Samad finished unbeaten on 30 from 15 balls, hitting five fours and a six, while Hasan Nawaz remained not out on 27 from 22 balls. For Bangladesh, Mehedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain and Nasum Ahmed took one wicket apiece.