Nisshin, 1 October, 2026 (Ghufran): Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semi-final of the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket competition at Korogi Sports Club to book a place in the gold-medal match. Chasing a revised target of 112 runs in 13 overs after the match was shortened due to a wet outfield, Pakistan reached 112-4 with nine balls to spare. Pakistan initially struggled in the chase, losing four wickets for 53 runs in 6.1 overs, but Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz steadied the innings with an unbeaten 59-run partnership from 32 deliveries. Samad top-scored with an unbeaten 30 off 15 balls, including five fours and a six, while Hasan Nawaz remained not out on 27 off 22 balls. Earlier, Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan elected to field after winning the toss, and Pakistan’s bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 111-7 in 13 overs. Bangladesh slipped to 21-3 before Towhid Hridoy counterattacked with 42 off 25 balls, including two fours and four sixes. Sufiyan Muqeem was Pakistan’s leading bowler, taking three wickets for 26 runs, while Arafat Minhas claimed two wickets and Saim Ayub took one. Bangladesh’s Mahedi Hasan, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain and Nasum Ahmed took one wicket each, but Pakistan successfully completed the chase to secure their place in the final.