Pakistan Set Up India Showdown for Asian Games Cricket Gold

Pakistan will contest the Asian Games men's cricket gold-medal match against India after both sides won their semifinals in Nisshin on Thursday.

Pakistan chase down Bangladesh in shortened game

In a contest reduced to 13 overs a side because of a wet outfield, Bangladesh posted 111 for 7 at Korogi Sports Park. Towhid Hridoy top-scored with 42 from 25 balls. Sufyan Moqim took 3 for 26 and Arafat Minhas 2 for 23 for Pakistan, according to ESPNcricinfo and the Pakistan Cricket Board.

Chasing 112, Pakistan slipped to 53 for 4 before Abdul Samad (30 not out off 15) and Hasan Nawaz (27 not out off 22) added an unbroken 59 for the fifth wicket. Pakistan reached 112 for 4 in 11.3 overs to win by six wickets with nine balls remaining. Saim Ayub made 21 earlier in the chase.

India crush Sri Lanka to complete final lineup

Defending champions India then sealed the final berth by thrashing a second-string Sri Lanka by 124 runs. India scored 169 for 7, led by Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 80 off 46 balls, before bowling Sri Lanka out for 45 in 9.5 overs. Jasprit Bumrah took 2 for 7, with Abhishek Sharma and Axar Patel also among the wickets, ESPNcricinfo reported.

Al Jazeera noted it will be the first India-Pakistan meeting at the Asian Games men's cricket event. The gold-medal match is scheduled for Saturday, 3 October, at the same venue.

Context of the knockout stage

All four quarterfinals were abandoned because of rain, with the semifinalists advancing on international rankings. India are bidding to defend the title they won in Hangzhou in 2023.

Reporting draws on ESPNcricinfo match reports, a PCB press release and Al Jazeera coverage.