'Kya match tha'- Fans react as Bangladesh beat Pakistan by 6 wickets to win bronze in Asian Games 2022

In the Asian Games 2023, Bangladesh claimed bronze at the multinational event beating Pakistan in the third-place Cricket match in Hangzhou, China. The Bangla Tigers beat them by six wickets after the chasing score was changed via the DLS method. Firstly, the match was reduced to 13 overs. But in between, the rain came again and it was eventually reduced to five overs. 

Pakistan made 48 for 1 after a delayed start. Mirza Baig had scored an unbeaten 32 runs from 18 deliveries. But their innings was curtailed after five overs when rain arrived for a second time. Then as the rain jolted down, the target was set for 65 runs in five overs for the Bangla Tigers. Pakistan's Arshad Iqbal picked up two wickets in the opening over and set Bangladesh on the back foot. Eventually, they scored 31 runs off the following two overs. 

However, batters Afif Hossain and Yasir Ali rescued Bangladesh and won the match for them. The former scored 20 runs off 11 balls and Yasir scored 38 runs off 16 balls. Yasir almost took Bangladesh home on his own,  he went on to hit 6,2,6,2 before, his dismissal in the game's penultimate ball made it a do-or-die final delivery for the new batter Rakibul. But the batter kept his nerve and won the match for his side securing a bronze for them.  

Bangladesh wins bronze

This is only the second medal win for Bangladesh in the Asian Games. The first medal, which also was bronze, was won by the women's cricket team. Surprisingly, the women's team also defeated Pakistan to win their medal, making two victories over the same country across both competitions. Previously, in the semi-final, Afghanistan defeated Pakistan by four wickets. Afghanistan restricted Pakistan to 115 in an 18-over game. The Afghans reached home in 17.5 overs for the loss of six wickets. 

In the final of the Asian Games, India is facing Afghanistan for the Gold medal match. This will be an interesting match as India is boasting a young team and the Afghans have a mix of experience and young guns.