Samad’s stunning knock sends Pakistan into Asian Games final

Abdul Samad smashed an unbeaten 30 off 15 balls as Pakistan recovered from early trouble to beat Bangladesh by six wickets and reach the Asian Games men’s cricket final on Thursday. Chasing 112 in a 13-over semi-final at Korogi Sports Park, Pakistan slipped to 53-4 before Samad and Hasan Nawaz combined for an unbeaten 59-run fifth-wicket stand. Hasan finished 27 not out off 22 balls, with two fours and two sixes, as Pakistan reached 112-4 in 11.3 overs. Samad provided the decisive burst in the 10th over, taking 22 runs from five deliveries against Mustafizur Rahman. After Hasan took a single from the first ball, Samad launched Mustafizur over long-on for six before hitting four successive boundaries. The 23-run over reduced Pakistan’s target to 13 from 18 balls and effectively settled the contest. Earlier, Pakistan lost captain Sahibzada Farhan for one before Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan also departed. Saim made 21 off 12 balls, including two sixes, while debutant Maaz contributed 15 off seven. Bangladesh, asked to bat first, posted 111-7 from their 13 overs, with Towhid Hridoy top-scoring with 42 off 25 balls, including four sixes and two fours. Saif Hassan added 19, but Pakistan’s spinners kept Bangladesh from building sustained momentum. Sufyan Moqim took 3-26 and Arafat Minhas claimed 2-23, while Saim returned figures of 1-3 from his two overs. Pakistan will face the winner of the second semi-final between India and Sri Lanka in the gold-medal match on Saturday at the same venue. Scores in brief: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by six wickets Bangladesh 111-7, 13 overs (Towhid Hridoy 42, Saif Hassan 19; Sufyan Moqim 3-26, Arafat Minhas 2-23) Pakistan 112-4, 11.3 overs (Abdul Samad 30 not out, Hasan Nawaz 27 not out, Saim Ayub 21; Mahedi Hasan 1-17, Rishad Hossain 1-12)