Pakistan qualified for the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Thursday, beating Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semi-final at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. Chasing 112 in a match reduced to 13 overs per side because of a wet outfield, Pakistan reached the target with three balls to spare.
Muqeem’s three wickets restrict Bangladesh
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan won the toss and chose to field. Bangladesh closed on 111 for seven in their 13 overs.
The innings never settled after early losses. Arafat Minhas removed Tanzid Hasan Tamim in the second over, Saim Ayub dismissed captain Litton Das, and Minhas struck again to send back Parvez Hossain Emon, leaving Bangladesh on 21 for three.
Towhid Hridoy led the recovery. He added 24 with opener Saif Hassan for the fourth wicket before Sufiyan Muqeem broke the stand in the seventh over. Hassan made 19 from 17 balls with two sixes and a four. Hridoy then combined with Mosaddek Hossain for a 53-run fifth-wicket partnership that kept Bangladesh moving.
Muqeem removed both set batters in the penultimate over to produce the innings’ decisive spell. Hridoy top-scored with 42 from 25 balls, striking four sixes and two fours, while Mosaddek managed 11 from 16. Muqeem finished with three for 26 in three overs. Minhas took two wickets and Ayub claimed one.
Samad and Nawaz seal the chase
Pakistan’s reply began badly. Farhan fell for one in the first over with six on the board, and Maaz Sadaqat followed for a seven-ball 15, caught off Nasum Ahmed after hitting two fours and a six.
Saim Ayub, promoted in the order, struck two sixes and a four off Mustafizur Rahman before the seamer dismissed him for 21 from 12 balls. Usman Khan departed in the seventh over, bowled by Rishad Hossain with the score at 53 for four.
That brought Abdul Samad to the crease, and the right-hander changed the contest. He and Hasan Nawaz put together an unbeaten 69-run stand from 32 balls to carry Pakistan home. Samad finished on 30 not out from 15 deliveries with five fours and a six, while Nawaz made 27 not out from 22.
Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain and Nasum Ahmed took one wicket each for Bangladesh.
Match in brief
- Result: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by six wickets, Asian Games semi-final
- Venue: Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, October 1, 2026
- Bangladesh: 111 for 7 in 13 overs (Hridoy 42, Muqeem 3 for 26)
- Pakistan: 112 for 4 in 12.3 overs (Samad 30 not out, Nawaz 27 not out)
What comes next
Pakistan will now contest the gold-medal match, while Bangladesh drop into the bronze-medal playoff. The final gives Pakistan a chance to add an Asian Games cricket title to their record at the Games.
Who won the Pakistan vs Bangladesh Asian Games cricket semi-final?
Pakistan won by six wickets, chasing 112 with three balls to spare in the 13-over-a-side semi-final at Nisshin on October 1, 2026.
Who were Pakistan’s top performers against Bangladesh?
Sufiyan Muqeem took three wickets for 26 runs, while Abdul Samad (30 not out off 15) and Hasan Nawaz (27 not out off 22) shared an unbeaten 69-run stand to win the chase.
Why was the semi-final reduced to 13 overs per side?
The match was shortened because of a wet outfield at the Korogi Sports Park.
