Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 5 wickets to win bronze at Asian Games

HANGZHOU (Agencies): Bangladesh women’s cricket team beat Pakistan by five wickets on Monday to secure the bronze medal in the 19th Asian Games tournament held at Hangzhou. 

Pakistan, who were out of the race for the gold medal after losing to Sri Lanka on Sunday, end up at the fourth position in the tournament after losing to Bangladesh. Later in the day, Sri Lanka and India will compete for the gold medal. 

Pakistan lost the toss and were put in to bat first, managing to score a hapless 64/9 from 20 overs. All-rounder Aliya Riaz top-scored for her side with 17 from 18 balls, hitting two fours while skipper Nida Dar made 14 runs from 18 balls and Sadaf Shamas scored 13 runs from 26 balls. Natalia Pervaiz, who scored 11 runs from 24 balls, was the only other batter along with Riaz, Dar and Shamas who scored in double figures. 

“For Bangladesh, Shorna Akter took three wickets for 16, while Sanjida Akter bagged two wickets,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement. 

Bangladesh achieved the modest target from 18.2 overs at the loss of five wickets. Batter Shorna top-scored for her side with an unbeaten 14 runs off 33 balls.

Scores in brief:

Bangladesh beat Pakistan by five wickets

Pakistan 64-9, 20 overs (Aliya Riaz 17; Shorna Akter 3-16, Sanjida Akter 2-11)

Bangladesh 65-5, 18.2 overs (Shorna Akter 14 not out; Nashra Sundhu 3-10)

A day earlier, an out-of-form Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka after only managing to score a below-par 75-9 from 20 overs. Left-arm medium pace bowler Udeshika Prabodhani led the Sri Lankan attack with three wickets and Kavisha Dilhari took two with her off spin.

Sri Lanka sauntered to their target with 21 balls to spare to spark celebrations on reaching the final of the Asian Games tournament.