Pakistan recover from 53-4 to beat Bangladesh, reach Asian Games final

An unbeaten 30 from Abdul Samad and 27 not out from Hasan Nawaz helped Pakistan defeat Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semi-final of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on Thursday. Chasing 112 in 13 overs, Pakistan recovered from 53-4 to reach the target in 11. 3 overs, with Samad and Hasan putting together an unbeaten 59-run fifth-wicket partnership. Samad provided the crucial acceleration, smashing 30 not out off just 15 balls, including five fours and a six. He swung the match decisively in Pakistan’s favour in the 10th over when he took apart Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman. Pakistan needed 36 runs from the final four overs when Hasan took a single off the first ball. Samad then hit Mustafizur for a six over long-on before following it with four consecutive boundaries. The over produced 23 runs, leaving Pakistan needing only 13 from the final 18 balls. Samad scored 22 runs from the five deliveries he faced in the over as Pakistan moved from 76-4 to 99-4. Hasan provided valuable support, finishing unbeaten on 27 off 22 balls, with two fours and two sixes. Earlier, Pakistan lost captain Sahibzada Farhan for one before T20I debutant Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan also departed inside the first seven overs. Saim scored 21 off 12 balls, including two sixes, while Maaz made a quick 15 off seven. At 53-4, Bangladesh appeared to have an opening, but Samad and Hasan’s unbeaten partnership took Pakistan comfortably into the gold-medal match. Batting first after being asked to do so, Bangladesh scored 111-7 in their allotted 13 overs. Towhid Hridoy top-scored with 42 off 25 balls, hitting two fours and four sixes, while Saif Hassan made 19. Pakistan’s spinners kept Bangladesh under pressure despite Hridoy’s counterattack. Sufyan Moqim was the pick of the bowlers with 3-26, while Arafat Minhas took 2-23. Saim Ayub also claimed a wicket after conceding just three runs from his two overs. Pakistan will face the winner of the second semi-final between India and Sri Lanka in the gold-medal match on Saturday, October 3, at the same venue. Scores in brief: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by six wickets Bangladesh 111-7, 13 overs (Towhid Hridoy 42, Saif Hassan 19; Sufyan Moqim 3-26, Arafat Minhas 2-23) Pakistan 112-4, 11. 3 overs (Abdul Samad 30 not out, Hasan Nawaz 27 not out, Saim Ayub 21; Mahedi Hasan 1-17, Rishad Hossain 1-12)

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