Cricket

Sufyan Moqim stars as Pakistan cruises into Asian Games final

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Oct 1, 2026, 09:00 IST

Pakistan secured a spot in the Asian Games Men’s T20I final after a clinical six-wicket victory over Bangladesh, led by a match-defining bowling spell from Sufyan Moqim at Korogi Sports Park.

Sufyan Moqim stars as Pakistan cruises into Asian Games final

Moqim leads Pakistan's clinical bowling display

Pakistan booked their place in the final of the 2026 Asian Games Men’s T20I tournament with a dominant six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the first semi-final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Pakistan’s attack dismantled the Bangladesh batting lineup, restricting them to a modest total of 111/7 in their 13 overs.

The foundation for the win was laid by Sufyan Moqim, who delivered a standout performance with the ball. Moqim finished with impressive figures of 3/26 from his three overs, consistently troubling the Bangladesh batters and preventing any significant partnerships from developing. While Towhid Hridoy provided some resistance with a brisk 42 off 25 balls and Saif Hassan chipped in with 19 off 17, the rest of the lineup struggled to find momentum against a disciplined Pakistan bowling unit. The efficiency of the Pakistan attack ensured that Bangladesh never truly settled, keeping the target well within reach.

A measured chase secures the final berth

Chasing 112 for a place in the gold medal match, Pakistan faced an early scare when Sahibzada Farhan fell with the score at just 6 in the first over. The early loss of two wickets threatened to derail the chase, but the middle order remained composed under pressure. Abdul Samad emerged as the anchor for the pursuit, striking a crucial 30 off 15 balls to shift the momentum back in Pakistan's favor.

Supported by Hasan Nawaz, Samad ensured that the required run rate remained manageable. The partnership effectively neutralized the threat posed by the Bangladesh bowlers, allowing Pakistan to reach the target of 112 with four wickets down. Alongside Samad, the contributions of Sufyan Moqim and Arafat Minhas were instrumental in steering the side home. With this victory, Pakistan moves one step closer to the title, having successfully navigated a tricky semi-final encounter with both bat and ball.