Pakistan have secured their place in the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final after defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-affected first semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, on October 1.

The match was reduced to 13 overs per side because of the wet outfield. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first, and their decision paid off as Bangladesh were restricted to 111/7.

Pakistan then chased down the revised target of 112, reaching 112/4 in 11.3 overs with nine balls remaining.

The victory takes Pakistan into the gold-medal match of the men's cricket competition for the first time in Asian Games history.

Bangladesh struggled early against Pakistan's bowling attack but recovered through an important innings from Towhid Hridoy.

Hridoy scored 42 runs from 25 balls, striking two fours and four sixes to give Bangladesh momentum in the middle overs.

Saif Hassan contributed 19 from 17 balls, while Mahedi Hasan finished unbeaten on 8 from four deliveries.

Pakistan's bowling attack was led by Sufyan Moqim, who took 3/26 from three overs. Arafat Minhas also made an impact with two wickets.

Bangladesh eventually finished on 111/7 from their 13 overs.

Pakistan's spinners were particularly effective on a surface that offered assistance, while Bangladesh's innings was also affected by 15 wides, limiting their ability to build a bigger total.

Pakistan's chase did not begin smoothly.

Captain Sahibzada Farhan fell in the opening over, while Maaz Sadaqat made a quick 15 before departing. Saim Ayub added 21 from 12 balls, but Pakistan soon found themselves under pressure.

When Usman Khan was dismissed, Pakistan had slipped to 53/4, leaving the chase finely balanced.

That was when Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad took control.

The partnership between Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz completely changed the momentum of the match.

Hasan Nawaz remained unbeaten on 27 from 22 balls, while Abdul Samad delivered the decisive late acceleration with an unbeaten 30 from just 15 deliveries.

Samad struck five fours and a six, attacking Bangladesh's bowlers when Pakistan needed quick runs.

His most damaging over came against Mustafizur Rahman, when Samad produced a six followed by a series of boundaries. The over yielded 23 runs, reducing Pakistan's requirement considerably.

The pair added an unbeaten 59-run partnership for the fifth wicket, taking Pakistan from 53/4 to victory.

Pakistan reached 112/4 in 11.3 overs, winning the semi-final with nine balls still available.

The victory has secured Pakistan a place in the gold-medal match of the Asian Games men's cricket competition for the first time.

Pakistan had progressed to the semi-finals after their quarter-final against Hong Kong was abandoned because of persistent rain. As the higher-ranked side, Pakistan advanced under the tournament's ranking-based qualification rule.

Bangladesh had similarly advanced after their quarter-final against Malaysia was washed out.

The weather had already disrupted the knockout stage, with all four men's cricket quarter-finals abandoned because of rain. Pakistan and Bangladesh therefore entered their semi-final without having played a quarter-final match.

Pakistan now move into the Asian Games 2026 cricket gold-medal match.

The second semi-final features India and Sri Lanka, with the winner joining Pakistan in the final. The men's cricket final is scheduled for October 3 in Nisshin.

For Bangladesh, the defeat ends their hopes of playing for gold, although they remain in contention for a medal through the tournament's bronze-medal match.

Pakistan produced a composed comeback after losing four early wickets to defeat Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened Asian Games 2026 semi-final.

Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz were central to the victory, combining for an unbeaten 59-run partnership that transformed Pakistan's chase from a difficult position into a convincing win.

The result sends Pakistan into the Asian Games men's cricket final for the first time, where they will face the winner of the India-Sri Lanka semi-final.