Rain washed out both teams’ quarter-finals, sending Pakistan and Bangladesh into the last four without playing a knockout match.
NISSHIN: Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the first semi-final of the men’s T20 cricket competition at the 2026 Asian Games on Thursday, October 1, after rain washed out both teams’ quarter-finals in Nisshin. Pakistan advanced after their scheduled match against Hong Kong was abandoned without a ball being bowled, while Bangladesh progressed following the washout of their quarter-final against Malaysia.
The semi-final is scheduled for 9:00am local time at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. India will face Sri Lanka in the second semi-final later on the same day.
Pakistan progressed on the basis of their higher ICC ranking under the tournament’s playing conditions. Bangladesh similarly advanced after their quarter-final was abandoned.
Bangladesh chasing another Asian Games medal
Bangladesh enter the semi-final with a strong record in men’s cricket at the Asian Games. They won gold at the 2010 Guangzhou Games and claimed bronze in 2014 and 2023.
At the 2023 Hangzhou Games, Bangladesh lost their semi-final before defeating Pakistan in the bronze-medal match.
Litton Das will captain Bangladesh and brings experience with both bat and gloves. Najmul Hossain Shanto is unavailable because of illness, according to the latest reports.
Bangladesh’s squad includes Tanzid Hasan, Yasir Ali and Towhid Hridoy, with Hridoy among the team’s key batting options.
The bowling attack offers several spin choices, including Mahedi Hasan, Saif Hassan, Mosaddek Hossain, Nasum Ahmed and Rishad Hossain, alongside pace bowlers Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam and Hasan Mahmud.
Pakistan aiming to return to the podium
Pakistan’s best men’s cricket result at the Asian Games also came in 2010, when they won bronze. They did not win a medal in 2014 or 2023 and will now compete for a place in the gold-medal match.
Pakistan are led by Sahibzada Farhan, with Abdul Samad listed among the squad’s batting options. The squad includes Saim Ayub, Haider Ali, Hasan Nawaz and wicketkeeper Usman Khan.
Abrar Ahmed is among Pakistan’s principal bowling options, while Akif Javed, Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Wasim Jr provide pace. Ali Raza, Sufyan Moqim and other squad members add further bowling choices.
With neither side having played its quarter-final, Thursday’s match will be their first competitive outing of the tournament. The official tournament schedule lists the semi-finals for October 1 at Korogi Sports Park, with the final scheduled for October 3.
Spin could prove important
Conditions at Korogi Sports Park have made batting difficult during the tournament, with rain repeatedly disrupting the competition. Reports have also highlighted the potential importance of spin at the venue.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh will therefore need to adapt quickly after entering the knockout stage without playing their respective quarter-finals.
The winner of the semi-final will advance to the gold-medal match on October 3, while the losing side will have a chance to compete for bronze.