Bangladesh lose to Pakistan at Asian Games, fail to win a medal

Bangladesh missed out on a medal in women's cricket at the Asian Games after losing to Pakistan by 31 runs in the bronze-medal match today (22 September).

Pakistan made 145 for eight after being sent in at Korogi Sports Park, then restricted Bangladesh to 114 for seven in 20 overs.

The result left Bangladesh fourth, while Pakistan took the bronze.

Bangladesh had won silver at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games after reaching the final in both editions. At the 2022 Games in Hangzhou, they missed the final but beat Pakistan in the third-place playoff to win bronze.

There was no medal this time. Bangladesh had been knocked out of the gold-medal race by a 114-run loss to India in the semifinals.

Chasing 146, Bangladesh lost three wickets for 20 runs in the first five overs. Dilara Akter made 12, Juwairia Ferdous four and Sobhana Mostary two.

They reached 25 for three at the end of the power play and never really recovered. By the halfway mark, Bangladesh were 43 for three and needed 103 from the last 60 balls.

Nigar Sultana and Sharmin Akter gave Bangladesh some hope with a 47-run partnership from 56 balls for the fourth wicket. Nigar made 25 from 30 balls before she was dismissed.

At that point, Bangladesh needed 79 from 39 balls. Sharmin stayed until the end, making an unbeaten 46 from 45 balls, but Bangladesh managed only 71 runs in the final 10 overs and lost four more wickets.

Bangladesh's batters played out 43 dot balls in the innings. Pakistan offspinner Umme Hani finished with three wickets for 10 runs.

Pakistan had also been in trouble after losing five wickets for 67 runs in 11.4 overs. Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz then put the innings back on course, adding 67 from 43 balls for the sixth wicket.

Fatima, who came in at No. 7, top-scored with 45 from 30 balls. Aliya made 25, while opener Gul Feroza scored 31.

Nahida Akter, Sorna Akter and Ritu Moni took two wickets each for Bangladesh.

The match may also mark the end of Nigar's tenure as Bangladesh's T20 captain. She had previously said she would step down after the Asian Games.

India will play Sri Lanka in the women's cricket gold-medal match later today.