Samad Blitz Sends Pakistan Into Asian Games Final, India Clash for Gold Set

Pakistan reached the men's cricket final at the Asian Games on Thursday, beating Bangladesh by six wickets in a semi-final in Nisshin, Japan, that was cut to 13 overs a side because of a wet outfield.

Abdul Samad hit an unbeaten 30 off 15 balls as Pakistan chased down 112 with nine balls to spare, setting up a gold-medal match against India on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Moqim stalls Bangladesh

Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan won the toss and chose to field. The gamble paid off quickly: spin from Arafat Minhas and Saim Ayub had Bangladesh three down for 21 inside four overs, the International Cricket Council said.

Towhid Hridoy's 25-ball 42 dragged Bangladesh back into contention until Sufyan Moqim dismissed both him and Mosaddek Hossain in a single over, the 12th. Moqim ended with three wickets for 26 and Bangladesh were held to 111-7, helped along by 19 Pakistan extras, 15 of them wides, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Samad and Nawaz finish the job

The reply was far from smooth. Four Bangladesh bowlers — Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Rishad Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman — each claimed a wicket, and Pakistan were 53-4 going into the seventh over.

From there Samad and Hasan Nawaz added 59 without being parted. Samad's innings included five boundaries and a six, Nawaz contributed 27 not out from 22 deliveries, and Pakistan reached 112-4 when Samad drove a four straight back in the 12th over.

India crush Sri Lanka

India booked their place with a 124-run rout of Sri Lanka in the other semi-final. Ishan Kishan's unbeaten 80 from 46 balls carried India to 169-7, and Sri Lanka never recovered from losing two wickets to Jasprit Bumrah in the first over, folding for 45 in 9.4 overs.

The bronze-medal match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka precedes Saturday's final in Nisshin.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo; International Cricket Council (ICC)