Pakistan beat Bangladesh to reach Asian Games final

Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first semifinal of the men’s cricket tournament at the 2026 Asian Games, securing a place in the final after a rain-shortened match in Nisshin, Japan. Chasing 112 in a contest reduced to 13 overs per side, Pakistan reached 112 for four with nine balls remaining. Bangladesh made 111 for seven in its 13 overs after Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan won the toss and chose to field. Rain and a wet outfield delayed the start and led to the revised format. Towhid Hridoy top-scored for Bangladesh with 42 runs, helping the team recover from early wickets. Pakistan also lost wickets early in the chase, but Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad steadied the innings with an unbeaten 59-run partnership. Samad scored 30 not out and Nawaz 27 not out as Pakistan completed the target. The six-wicket margin sent Pakistan through to the final. Bangladesh’s bowlers took four wickets, but could not prevent the chase. Pakistan’s Sufiyan Muqeem took three wickets and Arafat Minhas took two during Bangladesh’s innings, according to match reports. The teams’ innings totals and the revised 13-over format formed the basis of the semifinal result.