PAK vs BAN Asian Games Semi-Final Highlights: Pakistan Enter Gold Medal Match with Six-Wicket Win Over Bangladesh

Powerplay composure followed by explosive death-overs hitting booked Pakistan a place in the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final on Thursday morning. Confronting a rain-curtailed 13-over shootout at the Aichi Prefectural Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Pakistan held Bangladesh to 111 for 7 behind a disciplined three-wicket spell from left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem. Driven by an unbeaten 30 from Abdul Samad and 27 not out from Hasan Nawaz, the Men in Green hunted down the 112-run target in 11.3 overs to seal a six-wicket victory and confirm at least a silver medal.

DailyCricInfo brings you the complete, fact-checked match report, full scorecard statistics, and tactical highlights from the first semi-final in Nisshin.

Hridoy's 42 Boosts Bangladesh to 111 After Muqeem Strikes

Morning rain forced a significant delay at Korogi Sports Park, reducing the contest to 13 overs per side. Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan won the toss and elected to field, looking to exploit lingering moisture on the surface.

Bangladesh suffered early setbacks against Pakistan's bowling changes. Saim Ayub opened the bowling with his off-spin and struck immediately, conceding only three runs in two overs and dismissing Litton Das for 2.

Saif Hassan attempted to break free with two sixes in his 17-ball 19 before falling to Arafat Minhas (2 for 23). When Parvez Hossain Emon fell for 1, Bangladesh were in trouble at 38 for 3 in the fifth over.

Tawhid Hridoy provided the backbone of the innings, mounting an aggressive counter-attack. The right-hander hammered four sixes and two boundaries, racing to 42 off just 25 deliveries at a strike rate of 168.00.

However, left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem checked Bangladesh's charge through the closing overs. Muqeem removed Hridoy, Mosaddek Hossain (11), and Tanzid Hasan (7) to finish with standout figures of 3 for 26 in three overs. Useful late hits from Mahedi Hasan (8 off 4 balls) pushed Bangladesh to a fighting 111 for 7 in their 13 overs.

Samad and Nawaz Finish Chase After Early Top-Order Jolts

Chasing 112 at a required rate of 8.61 runs per over, Pakistan's chase encountered early speed bumps.

Pacer Mustafizur Rahman and spinner Nasum Ahmed struck inside the first four overs to keep Bangladesh in the game. Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for 1 by Nasum, while Mahedi Hasan removed Maaz Sadaqat (15 off 7 balls) to leave Pakistan 20 for 2.

Saim Ayub provided crucial early momentum with the bat, striking two sixes and a four in an aggressive 21 off 12 balls before falling to Rishad Hossain. When Usman Khan departed for 14 off nine deliveries, Pakistan were wobbling at 56 for 4 in the sixth over.

From that point onward, Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz took complete control of the contest with an unbroken 56-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Samad attacked the bowling with clean boundary striking, smashing five boundaries and a six to finish unbeaten on 30 off just 15 deliveries at a strike rate of 200.00. Hasan Nawaz played the ideal supporting hand, hitting two sixes and two fours on his way to an unbeaten 27 off 22 balls.

The pair punished Mustafizur, who conceded 41 runs in two overs, crossing the finish line at 112 for 4 in 11.3 overs with nine deliveries to spare.

Sufiyan Muqeem collected Player of the Match honors for his match-defining spell of 3 for 26 that restricted Bangladesh on a true surface.

Pakistan now advance to the Asian Games 2026 gold medal match on Saturday, October 3, where they will take on the winner of the second semi-final between India and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh will feature in the bronze medal playoff on the same day.

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