Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz Guide Pakistan Into Gold-Medal Match
Pakistan have reached the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-reduced semifinal at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. Pakistan chased down Bangladesh’s target of 112 in just 11.3 overs to book their place in the gold-medal match.
The match was reduced to 13 overs per side because of the weather conditions. Bangladesh were asked to bat first and posted 111 for seven from their allotted 13 overs. Towhid Hridoy was the leading scorer for Bangladesh, making 42 from 25 deliveries with two fours and four sixes, while Saif Hassan contributed 19 runs.
Pakistan’s bowling attack kept Bangladesh from reaching a bigger total. Sufyan Moqim was the standout bowler, taking three wickets for 26 runs, while Arafat Minhas claimed two wickets for 23. Saim Ayub also made an impact with the ball, conceding only three runs from his two overs and taking one wicket.
Pakistan’s chase initially looked uncertain as the team slipped to 53 for four. Captain Sahibzada Farhan fell for one, while Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan also departed before the target was within sight. Bangladesh appeared to have created an opportunity to put Pakistan under pressure in the semifinal.
The match changed dramatically when Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz joined forces. The pair produced an unbeaten 59-run partnership for the fifth wicket, taking Pakistan from trouble to victory. Hasan remained unbeaten on 27 from 22 balls, including two fours and two sixes.
Samad provided the decisive acceleration. He smashed an unbeaten 30 from only 15 balls, hitting five fours and a six. His most influential moment came in the 10th over when he took 22 runs from five deliveries against Mustafizur Rahman, including a six followed by four consecutive boundaries.
Pakistan eventually reached 112 for four in 11.3 overs, winning the semifinal by six wickets. The victory sends Pakistan into the Asian Games gold-medal match on October 3, where they will face the winner of the India-Sri Lanka semifinal.
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