Asian Games 2026: Pakistan qualify for men's cricket final with win over Bangladesh, to face India or Sri Lanka

The Sahibzada Farhan-led Pakistan on Thursday qualified for the final of the men's cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games following a six-wicket win over Bangladesh in the first semifinal in Nisshin.

Pakistan will take on either India or Sri Lanka in Saturday's Gold Medal match, with the second semifinal slated to take place later on Thursday.

The first semifinal was reduced to just 13 overs per side because of a wet outfield at the Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.

Bangladesh struggled early in their innings after losing three wickets inside the first four overs after being asked to bat first.

Tanzid Hasan Tamim was dismissed for seven, while captain Litton Das and Parvez Hossain Emon fell for two and one respectively. Saif Hassan then departed for 19, leaving Bangladesh at 45/4 in the seventh over.

Towhid Hridoy provided the main impetus to the innings. The Bangladesh batter scored 42 from 25 deliveries, hitting two fours and four sixes.

Hridoy added 53 runs with Mosaddek Hossain, who contributed 11, as Bangladesh recovered from their difficult start and moved beyond 100.

Pakistan's Sufyan Moqim was the leading wicket-taker, finishing with figures of 3/26. Arafat Minhas claimed figures of 2/23, whereas Saim Ayub took one wicket and conceded only three runs from his two overs. Bangladesh eventually finished on 111/7.

Pakistan struggle early in chase

Pakistan's chase initially followed a similar pattern. Captain Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for one in the opening over, while Maaz Sadaqat scored 15 from seven balls before falling.

Saim Ayub briefly accelerated the innings with 21 from 12 deliveries, including two sixes, but Pakistan slipped to 53/4 after Usman Khan was dismissed for 14 in the seventh over.

Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad then steadied the chase. Nawaz remained unbeaten on 27 from 22 balls, while Samad struck an unbeaten 30 from just 15 deliveries. His innings included five fours and a six. The pair put together an unbroken 59-run partnership to take Pakistan across the finish line.

Pakistan's victory guarantees them at least a silver medal and sends them into Saturday's gold-medal match.

India had won the gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 by virtue of a higher ranking after their final against Afghanistan was washed out due to rain. The women’s cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, earlier defended their gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games by beating Sri Lanka in the final.