India confirm another medal at Asian Games as Men's cricket team thrash Bangladesh by 9 wickets in the semi-final

Indian Men's cricket team have assured of the Asian Games silver medal as they thrashed Bangladesh by nine wickets in the semi-final on Friday.

Indian men's cricket team led by Ruturaj Gaikwad needed only 9.2 overs to defeat Bangladesh in the semi-final of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Indian bowlers dominated the day after the team asked Bangladesh to bat first. Mahmudul Hasan Joy was the first player to depart as Sai Kishore provided the breakthrough in the fifth over of the innings. He also dismissed Afif Hossain and Shahadat Hossain in his next two overs to end with 3 for 12 from his full quota.

Washington Sundar also joined the attack by grabbing two wickets. He finished with 2 for 15. Indian spinners Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Shahbaz Ahmed and pacer Arshdeep Singh also bagged one wicket each.

Bangladesh kept losing wickets at regular intervals and managed only 96 for 9 in their 20 overs. The team's wicket-keeper Jaker Ali was the top-scorer with an unbeaten 24, while the opener Parvez Hossain Emon notched up 23 runs.

In reply, India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck in the first over to Ripon Mondol. However, it did not affect the team's momentum as captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Tilak Varma finished the game within 10 overs.

Gaikwad scored an unbeaten 26-ball 40 while Tilak Varma top-scored with 26-ball 55*. The team qualified for the final, assuring yet another medal for the country. Notably, the Indian Women's cricket team won a gold medal earlier in the Asian Games.

Indian men's cricket team to meet winner of Afghanistan and Pakistan clash in the Asian Games final

The Indian men's cricket team will be meeting the winner of the second semi-final, which is scheduled to take place later on Friday. Pakistan will take on Afghanistan for a place in the Asian Games final.

Pakistan defeated Hong Kong in their quarter-final clash by 68 runs. The team was reduced to 54 for 5 before Aamer Jamal and other lower-order batters rescued them to reach 160. Jamal top-scored with 16-ball 41. The bowlers later reduced Hong Kong to just 92 to make it to the semi-final.

On the other hand, Afghanistan defeated Sri Lanka by eight runs in a thrilling quarter-final. The opener Noor Ali Zadran took Afghanistan to 116, and Gulbadin Naib starred with 3 for 28 to reduce Sri Lanka to 108.

The winner of the clash between Afghanistan and Pakistan will meet India in the final, while the loser will fight for the bronze medal against Bangladesh.