Pakistan send Bangladesh into bronze battle against Sri Lanka 

Bangladesh's bid for a second Asian Games cricket gold medal came to an end on Thursday as Pakistan won their rain-shortened semi-final by six wickets at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan.

With the match cut to 13 overs a side, Bangladesh were put in and immediately found themselves under pressure. Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das and Parvez Hossain Emon departed within the first four overs, leaving Bangladesh at 21 for three.

Saif Hassan and Towhid Hridoy then steadied the innings before Saif was dismissed for 19 off 17 balls. Hridoy took charge of the recovery, producing 42 from 25 deliveries with two fours and four sixes. He added 53 with Mosaddek Hossain, who made 11 from 16 balls, to give Bangladesh a chance of posting a competitive total.

Bangladesh eventually reached 111 for seven. Sufyan Moqim was Pakistan's most successful bowler with three wickets for 26 runs, while Arafat Minhas took two for 23.

Pakistan's reply was far from smooth. Captain Sahibzada Farhan fell for one, and further wickets reduced Pakistan to 53 for four after 6.1 overs. Bangladesh were within sight of defending their total before the game changed decisively.

Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad kept Pakistan's innings together and then accelerated when the opportunity came. Their unbeaten 59-run fifth-wicket partnership took Pakistan to 112 for four in 11.3 overs.

Samad finished with 30 not out from 15 balls, while Nawaz remained unbeaten on 27 from 22. Pakistan therefore reached the target with nine deliveries still unused.

Rishad Hossain was Bangladesh's most economical bowler, returning one for 12 from 2.3 overs. Mahedi Hasan also took a wicket, while Mustafizur Rahman conceded 41 runs from his two overs.

The defeat ends Bangladesh's gold-medal campaign. Pakistan will play India for the title on Saturday after India defeated Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the other semi-final. Bangladesh will now meet Sri Lanka in the bronze-medal match.

For Bangladesh, Hridoy's counter-attacking innings and the pressure created during Pakistan's early setbacks ultimately could not produce a place in the final.