Published: 04:05 PM, 02 October 2026
India, Pakistan set for Asian Games cricket final amid tensions
Mustafizur's costly over ends BD's gold hopes
Bangladesh's aspiration to secure an Asian Games gold was shattered after suffering a six-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the first semifinal at the Korogi Sports Park in Nagoya, Japan on Thursday.-Agencies
Cricket rivals India and Pakistan reached the Asian Games men's cricket final on Thursday after winning their respective semifinals, setting up another high-profile meeting between the neighboring countries.
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-affected match reduced to 13 overs per side because of a wet outfield. India then crushed Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the second semifinal, with four Sri Lankan batters dismissed without scoring.
Bangladesh's hopes of winning the men's cricket gold medal at the Asian Games ended on Thursday after Pakistan beat them by six wickets in a rain-shortened semifinal.
Bangladesh made 111 for seven in 13 overs after being sent in, but Pakistan chased down the target with nine balls to spare, reaching 112 for four in 11.3 overs.
The match was still evenly poised when Pakistan needed 36 runs from the last four overs with four wickets in hand.
But Mustafizur Rahman's second over changed the game. The left-arm pacer conceded 23 runs, including five boundaries, leaving Pakistan needing only 13 from the final three overs.
Abdul Samad struck an unbeaten 30 off 15 balls and Hasan Nawaz made 27 not out off 22 as Pakistan completed the chase comfortably.
Bangladesh had made a strong start with the ball, reducing Pakistan to 17 for two in two overs. Mehidi Hasan removed Sahibzada Farhan before Nasum Ahmed dismissed Maz Sadaqat.
Saim Ayub then added 21 off 12 balls before Mustafizur had him caught off the final delivery of his first over. Mustafizur finished with one wicket but conceded 41 runs in his two overs.
Rishad Hossain and Mehidi took one wicket each for Bangladesh.
Earlier, Towhid Hridoy top-scored for Bangladesh with 42 off 25 balls, hitting four sixes and two fours. He came to the crease after Bangladesh had slipped to 21 for three.
Saif Hasan made 19 off 17 balls and Mosaddek Hossain scored 11, while Mehidi remained unbeaten on eight from four balls.
Sufiyan Muqeem took three wickets for 26 runs for Pakistan.
Bangladesh will play for the bronze medal on Sunday against the loser of Thursday's second semifinal between India and Sri Lanka.
The final, scheduled for Saturday in Japan, is expected to draw attention to the political tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Players from India and Pakistan have recently avoided the traditional pre- and post-match handshakes amid strained relations between the countries.
Tensions along the India-Pakistan border brought the two countries close to war last year and have also affected their cricket encounters.
India's men's team defeated Pakistan three times in the Asia Cup, including the final, but Suryakumar Yadav's side did not shake hands with Pakistani players in any of the matches.
The Indian team also declined to receive the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
India's women's team similarly avoided handshakes with Pakistan during a match at the continental championship and later declined to receive the women's Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi after winning the tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
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