Pakistan reached the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets at Korogi Sports Park on Thursday.
Sufiyan Muqeem claimed three wickets before Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz rescued Pakistan’s chase with an unbeaten 59-run partnership.
Pakistan reached 112/4 in 11.3 overs, with nine balls remaining. A wet outfield had reduced the semi-final to 13 overs per side.
The victory secured Pakistan a place in Saturday’s gold-medal match against the winner of the India-Sri Lanka semi-final.
Pakistan march into the #AsianGames final! 👏
A stunning 59-run partnership between Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad seals the chase with 9 balls to spare 🏏#PAKvBAN | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/J7GbWlRjDI
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 1, 2026
Samad and Nawaz rescue Pakistan
Pakistan’s pursuit began poorly when captain Sahibzada Farhan fell to Mahedi Hasan for one, leaving his side 6/1.
Maaz Sadaqat struck two fours and a six in his seven-ball 15 before Nasum Ahmed dismissed him.
Saim Ayub counterattacked with 21 from 12 deliveries, including two sixes and a four. However, Mustafizur Rahman removed him in the fourth over.
Usman Khan added 15 with Hasan Nawaz before Rishad Hossain dismissed him for 14. Pakistan slipped to 53/4 on the first ball of the seventh over.
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Samad then joined Nawaz, and the pair completed their match-winning stand from 32 deliveries.
The decisive assault came in the 10th over, with Pakistan needing 36 from 24 balls. After Nawaz took a single, Samad hit Mustafizur for six followed by four consecutive boundaries.
The 23-run over left Pakistan needing 13 from 18 deliveries.
Samad finished unbeaten on 30 from 15 balls, striking five fours and a six. Nawaz contributed 27 not out from 22 deliveries.
Mahedi, Nasum, Mustafizur and Rishad took one wicket each.
Muqeem checks Bangladesh’s recovery
Earlier, Farhan won the toss and chose to field. Bangladesh managed 111/7 after recovering from early trouble.
Arafat Minhas broke a 17-run opening stand by dismissing Tanzid Hasan for seven. Ayub bowled captain Litton Das for two, while Minhas removed Parvez Hossain Emon for one.
Bangladesh slipped to 21/3 before Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy added 24.
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Muqeem dismissed Saif for 19 from 17 balls, which included two sixes and a four.
Hridoy and Mosaddek Hossain then shared 53 before Muqeem removed both in the penultimate over.
Hridoy led Bangladesh with 42 from 25 deliveries, hitting four sixes and two fours. Mosaddek scored 11 from 16 balls.
Mahedi finished unbeaten on eight, while Rishad made two before a final-ball run-out.
Muqeem returned 3/26 from three overs. Minhas took 2/23, while Ayub conceded just three runs in two overs for one wicket.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Abrar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (captain and wicketkeeper), Towhid Hridoy, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman.
