Samad's blitz sends Pakistan into Asian Games cricket final

Abdul Samad’s explosive unbeaten 30 off 15 balls powered Pakistan into the Asian Games men’s cricket final, as they beat Bangladesh by six wickets in a rain-shortened semi-final in Japan on Thursday.

Chasing 112 in 13 overs at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Pakistan recovered from 53-4 to reach 112-4 in 11.3 overs, with Samad and Hasan Nawaz sharing an unbeaten stand of 59 for the fifth wicket, Dawn and The Express Tribune reported.

Pakistan will play for gold on Saturday at the same venue against the winner of the second semi-final between India and Sri Lanka.

The over that won the match

With Pakistan needing 36 from the last four overs, Samad took Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman apart in the 10th over.

After Hasan took a single off the first ball, Samad launched Mustafizur over long-on for six, then hit four boundaries in a row. The over cost 23 runs, 22 of them to Samad from just five balls, and took Pakistan from 76-4 to 99-4.

That left Pakistan needing only 13 from 18 balls, and they finished the job with nine balls to spare. Samad hit five fours and a six. Hasan gave strong support with 27 not out from 22 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

A shaky start

The chase began badly. Captain Sahibzada Farhan was caught off Mahedi Hasan for one in the first over. Maaz Sadaqat, on debut, hit a quick 15 from seven balls, and Saim Ayub made 21 from 12 with two sixes, but both fell. When Usman Khan went for 14, Pakistan were 53-4 inside seven overs and Bangladesh had a chance.

Samad and Hasan then took the game away from them.

Spinners squeeze Bangladesh

Earlier, Bangladesh were sent in to bat and made 111-7 in their 13 overs. They slumped to 45-4 before Towhid Hridoy led a recovery with 42 from 25 balls, hitting four sixes and two fours, and sharing a stand of 53 with Mosaddek Hossain.

Pakistan’s spinners kept control:

• Sufyan Moqim: 3-26, including Hridoy and Mosaddek in the same over
• Arafat Minhas: 2-23
• Saim Ayub: 1-3 from two overs

Scorecard in brief

• Bangladesh: 111-7 in 13 overs (Towhid Hridoy 42, Saif Hassan 19; Sufyan Moqim 3-26, Arafat Minhas 2-23)
• Pakistan: 112-4 in 11.3 overs (Abdul Samad 30 not out, Hasan Nawaz 27 not out, Saim Ayub 21)

Finally, some cricket

The semi-final was one of the first proper matches for both sides at the Games. All four quarter-finals were abandoned without a ball bowled because of rain, and Pakistan reached the last four after their match against Hong Kong was washed out.

A medal is guaranteed

Reaching the final guarantees Pakistan at least a silver medal. It continues a strong Thursday for Pakistan in Japan, after the men’s volleyball team beat India 3-0 to reach the semi-finals. The hockey team face India in their semi-final at 12:30pm.

Why it matters

With a young side and Samad in this kind of form, Pakistan have a real chance of gold on Saturday. Read our reports on the volleyball win over India and on the hockey semi-final against India.

This article draws on reporting by Dawn and The Express Tribune.