Pakistan thump Bangladesh to set up Asian Games cricket final against India

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semi-final of the Asian Games men’s cricket competition on Thursday to set up a final clash against arch-rivals India.

Chasing a revised target of 112 in 13 overs after a rain-affected match, Pakistan reached 115-4 with three balls to spare.

Pakistan suffered an early setback when captain Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for one in the opening over. Maaz Sadaqat followed soon after for 15, before Saim Ayub struck two sixes and a four in his 21 off 12 balls.

Usman Khan was then dismissed for 15, leaving Pakistan struggling at 53-4 in the seventh over.

Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz, however, turned the game around with an unbeaten 69-run partnership from just 32 balls. Samad top-scored with an unbeaten 30 off 15 deliveries, including five fours and a six, while Nawaz made 27 not out off 22 balls.

Earlier, Bangladesh posted 111-7 in their allotted 20 overs after Pakistan won the toss and opted to field.

Towhid Hridoy led Bangladesh's scoring with 42 off 25 balls, while Saif Hassan made 19. Sufiyan Muqeem was Pakistan's leading bowler with three wickets for 26 runs, while Arafat Minhas claimed two.

In the second semi-final, India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs to book their place in the final. India bowled Sri Lanka out for 45 while defending a target of 170.

The Pakistan-India final is scheduled for October 3.