Bangladesh lose bronze-medal match against Pakistan

Bangladesh missed out on a bronze medal in women's cricket at the Asian Games as they suffered a 31-run defeat to Pakistan in the bronze medal deciding match at the Korogi Sports Park in Nagoya, Japan today.

Batting first, Pakistan scored 145 runs before Bangladesh were restricted to 114-7 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Chasing 146 for victory, Bangladesh made a disastrous start, losing three wickets for just 20 runs. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty and Sharmin Akter Supta then tried to steady the innings, putting together a 47-run partnership.

However, the mounting required run rate put Bangladesh under increasing pressure. Joty eventually fell while attempting a big shot, with her dismissal further denting Bangladesh's hopes of victory.

Supta continued to fight at one end, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals at the other end. She made team-best 46.

Pakistan spinner Umm-e-Hani played a key role in restricting Bangladesh, taking 3-10 from her four overs.

Bangladesh also missed opportunities in the field during Pakistan's innings. Fatima Sana was dropped early in her innings and went on to make Bangladesh pay for the reprieve with a valuable 30 ball-45 runs knock which included three fours and as many sixes.

Opener Gull Firoza was the other notable scorer with 31 while Aliya Riaz made 25.

Nahida Akter, Shorna Akter and Ritu Moni picked up two wickets apiece for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh had advanced to the semifinals after their quarterfinal match against China was washed out. They moved to the last four stage due to superior rankings but suffered a heavy 114-run defeat to India.

They then failed to recover in the bronze-medal match against Pakistan, producing an underwhelming performance with bat, ball and in the field.

Bangladesh had won a bronze medal by defeating Pakistan at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, but this time they were beaten by the same opponents and returned without a medal.