Semi-final victories set up gold-medal clash
India and Pakistan will compete for the Asian Games men's cricket gold medal on Saturday in Japan, after both recorded semi-final victories on Thursday. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in a match reduced to 13 overs per innings because of a wet outfield. India then completed a 124-run win over Sri Lanka, whose batting line-up suffered four ducks.[S1][S2]
Pakistan chased 112 at Korogi Sports Park, recovering from 53-4 to reach the target in 11.3 overs. Abdul Samad struck an unbeaten 30 from 15 balls, while Hasan Nawaz finished 27 not out from 22 deliveries. The pair shared an unbroken 59-run fifth-wicket stand. Samad took 22 runs from five deliveries in the 10th over against Mustafizur Rahman, reducing the target to 13 from 18 balls. Earlier, Bangladesh posted 111-7, with Towhid Hridoy top-scoring with 42 from 25 balls, including four sixes. Sufyan Moqim took 3-26 and Arafat Minhas claimed 2-23.[S2]
In the second semi-final, India posted 169-7 after Ishan Kishan made an unbeaten 80 from 46 balls and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added 38 from 21. Sri Lanka, fielding a second-string side, were bowled out for 45 in 9.5 overs. Jasprit Bumrah took two wickets in his opening over, while Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Abhishek Sharma shared five wickets. Only Nuwanidu Fernando reached double figures with 15. The final will be held on Saturday at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.[S1][S2][S3]
Political tensions overshadow the contest
Political tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours will again form the backdrop to Saturday's encounter. Recent meetings between the two teams have seen traditional customs abandoned, with players declining to shake hands before or after matches. Cross-border strains brought the countries to the brink of war last year, with the resulting acrimony continuing to impact the sport.[S1]
Indian teams have repeatedly avoided shaking hands with Pakistani players and refused to accept silverware from Pakistani administrators. The Indian men's side beat Pakistan three times during the Asia Cup, including the final, but Suryakumar Yadav's team refused to accept the trophy from Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi and abstained from handshakes in all three fixtures. India's women's team similarly declined to shake hands with Pakistan during a continental championship match, and also refused the trophy from Naqvi after winning the women's Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates.[S1]
The build-up to the India-Pakistan showdown will once again be dominated by the chatter on whether the two teams will shake hands. The Indian players have refused to exchange pleasantries with their Pakistan counterparts in the Asia Cup and ICC events since Operation Sindoor last year to show solidarity with the Indian armed forces. It remains to be seen if the management sticks to status quo or there is a handshake with the Pakistan players after the game, a protocol that has been followed by athletes of others sports in the Asian Games. India and Pakistan players will have to share the podium irrespective of what happens in the final, like the women's team did after winning gold last week.[S3]
