India and Pakistan Set for Asian Games Cricket Gold Medal Showdown

Nagoya, Japan: Defending champions India will meet arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asian Games men’s cricket final after both sides secured dominant semifinal victories on Thursday.

India crushed Sri Lanka by 124 runs, while Pakistan dispatched Bangladesh by six wickets, setting up a highly anticipated title decider on Saturday at the Korogi Athletic Park Stadium in Nagoya.

After being put in to bat, India posted a competitive 169 for 7 on a sharply turning surface. The innings featured a blistering debut from 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who smashed 38 off 21 balls, including six fours and two towering sixes. Ishan Kishan anchored the innings with a crafted 80 not out, striking five sixes.

Sri Lanka’s chase collapsed spectacularly. They lost two wickets without scoring and were bowled out for 45 in under 10 overs—a chaotic effort that included three run-outs. It marked Sri Lanka’s lowest total in men’s T20 internationals, undercutting the 77 they managed against South Africa in New York earlier in 2024. Jasprit Bumrah struck twice in his opening over, and Axar Patel claimed two wickets as Sri Lanka slumped to 18 for 5 by the end of the powerplay. A brief counter-attack from Nuwanidu Fernando ended when he ran himself out for 15, triggering a final collapse where the last three wickets fell in three deliveries.

“We don’t know anything about the final match yet,” Patel said when asked about the prospect of facing Pakistan. “Especially about which wicket we will be playing on. But all three pitches in that square look very similar as they all have a lot of cracks.”

SAMAD’S FINISHING TOUCH

Earlier, Abdul Samad’s explosive unbeaten 30 off 15 balls powered Pakistan to a six-wicket win over Bangladesh with nine balls to spare in a contest reduced to 13 overs per side due to a wet outfield.

“To be honest, we don’t really care about who will win and who will reach the final,” said Pakistan batter Saim Ayub, who contributed 21 in the chase of 112. “All we care about is winning the final, no matter who we are playing against.”

Under clear skies, Pakistan reduced Bangladesh to 21 for 3 and then 45 for 4. Towhid Hridoy led a recovery with a rapid 42 off 25 balls, lifting Bangladesh to 111 for 7. Pakistan stumbled early but steadied the ship when Samad and Hasan Nawaz (27 not out) united at 53 for 4 in the seventh over. Their unbroken 59-run stand off 32 balls sealed the victory. Samad seized control in the 10th over, plundering 22 runs off Mustafizur Rahman—including a six and four consecutive fours—to leave Pakistan requiring just 13 from 18 balls.

Bangladesh will face Sri Lanka for the bronze medal, also on Saturday.

Source link