Whom will India face in the Asian Games Men T20I cricket gold medal match on Saturday, 7th October

India have qualified for the Asian Games Men T20I cricket gold medal match after beating Bangladesh in the semi-final 1.

Afghanistan men's cricket squad secured their spot in Asian Games men's cricket gold medal match by defeating Pakistan by 4 wickets. Their next challenge will be taking on India in the final showdown of Asian Games.

Afghanistan faced the task of chasing down a 116-run target for victory, which they accomplished with confidence, thanks to stand-out performances from Noor Ali Zadran and their skipper, Gulbadin Naib. Zadran contributed an impressive 39 runs, while Naib remained unbeaten with a solid 26.

Pakistan, batting first, could not last the full 20 overs and were bowled out for 115 runs, with opener Omair Yousuf being their top-scorer with 24 runs. Afghanistan's bowlers excelled, with Fareed Ahmad leading the way, taking 3 wickets for just 15 runs in 3 overs. Qais Ahmad and Zahir Khan also made valuable contributions, with two wickets each.

India and Afghanistan to play the gold medal match

Afghanistan have come close to defeating Pakistan on several occasions, including in high-profile matches like Asia Cup and World Cup. However, they had always fallen short of securing a win. In Asian Games, Afghanistan team showcased their exceptional bowling skills, effectively limiting Pakistan to a modest total. Their batting, led by captain Naib, featured impressive performances from both the top and lower-orders, ensuring their triumphant journey to victory.

During a crucial phase of the game, Pakistani captain Qasim Akram introduced spinner Aamer Jamal in the 18th over. Gulbadin Naib seized this opportunity and scored 23 runs, which included two sixes and two fours, and Afghanistan won the match by 4 wickets.

In the first semi-final, India achieved a convincing nine-wicket victory over Bangladesh and are scheduled to face Afghanistan in the final match for the gold medal, while Pakistan will compete against Bangladesh for the bronze medal. Both of these matches will take place on Saturday, October 7th.