NISSHIN: Pakistan need 112 runs to beat Bangladesh and reach the Asian Games cricket final after Bangladesh posted 111 for seven in a rain-shortened first semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan on Thursday.
Bangladesh were restricted to 111 for seven in their allotted 13 overs, with Sufyan Moqim taking three wickets, while Arafat Minhas claimed two and Saim Ayub one.
The match was reduced to 13 overs per side after a wet outfield delayed the start. The two teams are contesting the first men’s cricket semi-final of the Asian Games.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and opted to field first. The toss was earlier delayed owing to the wet outfield.
The Pakistan-Bangladesh clash is the first of the two men’s semi-finals at the Asian Games, with the winner advancing to the gold-medal match on October 3.
Pakistan will qualify for the final if the semi-final is abandoned without a ball being bowled, with the higher-ranked side progressing under the tournament’s playing conditions.
The weather has already played a major role in the men’s cricket competition, with all four quarter-finals abandoned without a ball being bowled.
Pakistan reached the last four after their quarter-final against Hong Kong was washed out, while Bangladesh advanced after their last-eight match against Malaysia met the same fate.
Pakistan seek final berth
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan will lead the side’s batting effort, with the team looking to make the most of its opportunity if play gets under way.
Farhan is expected to provide an attacking start, while Hasan Nawaz and Usman Khan add depth to the batting order. Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub and Arafat Minhas are also among the options available to Pakistan.
The team arrived in Japan after a training camp in Karachi and had also prepared for different match scenarios and conditions. Their training session in Nisshin was affected by overnight rain and a wet outfield.
Bangladesh eye upset
Bangladesh, meanwhile, will look to maintain their momentum and reach the final after progressing through the quarter-final stage without taking the field.
Captain Litton Das will anchor an experienced batting line-up, with Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy expected to play important roles.
Bangladesh will, however, be without Najmul Hossain Shanto, who has been ruled out of the tournament after suffering from a fever and infection.
The Tigers secured their semi-final place after their quarter-final against Malaysia was abandoned due to persistent rain, with their higher ranking sending them through.
Rain disrupts tournament
The weather has dominated the men’s cricket tournament in Nisshin, with Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh all progressing from the quarter-finals without playing a single delivery.
Tournament sports director Jarrad Shearer expressed his disappointment at the lack of cricketing action after organisers had spent a year converting a baseball facility into a cricket venue.
“Cricket, like baseball, you can’t play it in the rain. A year of my life on this, and it rains,” Shearer said.
He said organisers would make every effort to prepare the ground, including using equipment such as squeegees, brooms, sponges and other methods to remove water from uncovered areas.
Despite the earlier washouts, the forecast for the semi-finals was considered more favourable, raising hopes that both matches could be completed.
The second semi-final will see India face Sri Lanka at the same venue.
The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in the gold-medal match on October 3, while the losing teams will contest the bronze-medal play-off.
Squads:
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan (c), Maaz Sadaqat, Usman Khan (wk), Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Moqim
Bangladesh: Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (capt & wk), Towhid Hridoy, Parvez Hossain Emon, Mosaddek Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Mustafizur Rahman