HANGZHOU: Afghanistan has booked their spot in the final of the Asian Games cricket tournament, securing a convincing four-wicket victory over Pakistan on Friday. They will face India in the gold medal match, who defeated Bangladesh in their semifinal encounter.
Afghanistan boasts several quality players who performed when it mattered most, defeating Pakistan by four wickets in the other semifinal.
Twenty20 cricket has been featured at the Asian Games twice before, in Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014, with Bangladesh and Sri Lanka claiming the championship titles.
Afghanistan finished as runners-up on both occasions, but India did not participate.
India’s bowling hero, Sai Kishore, who took 3-12, said, “This gives us a lot of confidence because we came together and played as a team. We have a good chance to win the final and bring a gold medal for the country.”
On an overcast day at the Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Cricket Field, India won the toss and opted to field on a pitch known for its spin-friendly conditions.
Bangladesh struggled, managing only 96-9.
In contrast, India had a relatively easy chase, reaching their target in just 9.2 overs with the loss of one wicket. Tilak Varma remained unbeaten at 55, while skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad scored an unbeaten 40.
Despite a rocky start, with quarter-final centurion Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed for a duck in the first over, India recovered quickly. Gaikwad took control, scoring 20 runs off the third over, including two consecutive sixes off pacer Ripon Mondol.
Varma joined the assault in the next over, hitting straight sixes off Mrittunjoy Chowdhury as they reached 50-1 in no time.
Bangladesh found it challenging to score, and India made an early breakthrough in the fifth over when Mahmudul Hasan Joy was caught at mid-on off Kishore for five.
While most of India’s big names are absent due to the one-day World Cup, they still have spinner Washington Sundar, who has represented his country in all three formats.
Sundar’s off-breaks accounted for Bangladesh’s skipper Hassan and Zakir Hasan in the space of three deliveries.
Opener Parvez Hossain Emon managed 23 but fell victim to spin, this time to Varma, as Bangladesh struggled to reach 36-4.
Kishore returned to dismiss Afif Hossain and Shahadat Hossain.
Afghanistan’s Blower Restricts Pakistan to 115
In the other match, Afghanistan bowled out Pakistan for 115 after choosing to field, with Fareed Ahmad taking three wickets and spinners Qais Ahmad and Zahir Khan grabbing two each.
Afghanistan started their chase with two boundaries in the first over but then stumbled to 35-3.
Noor Ali Zadran steadied the ship with 39, but when he and Afsar Zazai fell within three balls, Afghanistan was at 71-5 in the 13th over.
However, they battled to within 23 runs with 18 balls remaining, securing victory in one wayward over from Aamer Jamal, with skipper Gulbadin Naib contributing with a crucial 26.
