Bangladesh clinched the bronze medal after beating Pakistan by six wickets at the 19th Asian Games Men's cricket event in DLS method at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field Stadium on Saturday (October 7).
In a contest that was delayed due to rain, Pakistan, coming off a loss to Afghanistan in the second semifinal, faced off against Bangladesh in the bronze-deciding match.
Pakistan was forced to bat first, managing only 48 runs for the loss of one wicket in five overs before rain halted proceedings. Pakistani opener Mirza Baig played a crucial role, scoring an unbeaten 32 runs off 18 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes.
As the rain persisted during Pakistan's innings, play couldn't resume, and a revised target of 65 runs was set for Bangladesh to chase in five overs. The Bangladeshi team got off to a strong start, appearing on course to achieve the target comfortably, requiring 25 runs from the final two overs. However, Pakistani pacer Arshad Iqbal put up a spirited performance, conceding only five runs in the penultimate over and dismissing Afif Hossain, who had scored 20 runs from 11 balls. This left Bangladesh needing 20 runs from the last over.
Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem was tasked with bowling the final over and conceded 16 runs in the first four deliveries. However, he redeemed himself by dismissing Yasir Ali, who had hammered a quick 34 runs off 16 balls with three fours and two sixes. With just four runs required off the last ball, Rakibul Hasan struck a boundary, securing the bronze medal for Bangladesh.
Pakistan's Arshad Iqbal emerged as the most successful bowler, taking three wickets while conceding 14 runs from two overs.
In the first semifinal on the previous Friday, Bangladesh had faced a significant setback, suffering a heavy nine-wicket defeat to India, which prevented them from reaching the final.
This bronze medal marked Bangladesh's second podium finish in the 19th Asian Games cricket event, with their previous bronze also coming against Pakistan, achieved through a five-wicket victory. Bangladesh's cricket team had previously secured gold in the 2010 Guangzhou Asiad and bronze in the 2014 Incheon Asiad.
BDST: 1556 HRS, OCT 07, 2023
MN/SMS
