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Rakibul's last-ball four seals bronze medal for Bangladesh in Asian Games

Yasir Ali's 21-ball 42 ended in vain Getty Images

A last-ball four from Rakibul Hasan helped Bangladesh claim bronze at the Asian Games overcoming Pakistan's challenge in Hangzhou.

Bangladesh needed to score 65 in five overs in the rain-hit game after the target was adjusted by DLS. Earlier, Pakistan had made 48 for 1 after a delayed start but their innings was curtailed after five overs when rain arrived for a second time.

Arshad Iqbal's double-wicket jolt in the opening over of Bangladesh's innings had given Pakistan the early advantage in the chase, but Afif Hossain's 11-ball 20 and Yasir Ali's 16-ball 38 brought Bangladesh back. Yasir very nearly took Bangladesh home himself, but his dismissal in the penultimate ball of the game made it a do-or-die final delivery for the incoming batter Rakibul. But Sufiyan Muqeem failed to defend 20 off the last over, with Yasir scoring 16 runs - including two sixes - off the first four balls, and Rakibul then finishing it off with a boundary.

Pakistan's innings was started off by a 47-run stand between Khushdil Shah and Mirza Baig after rain delayed the start. Their stand lasted 4.4 overs with Baig the aggressor, scoring 32 in 18. Left-arm spinner Rakibul was also the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with his two overs going for only 12 runs.

Bangladesh 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st1Zakir HasanAfif Hossain
2nd0Saif HassanAfif Hossain
3rd44Yasir AliAfif Hossain
4th16Yasir AliJaker Ali
5th4Jaker AliRakibul Hasan

Asian Games Men's Cricket Competition

Group A
TeamMWLPTNRR
NEP220410.275
MDV2112-1.7
MNG2020-11.575
Group B
TeamMWLPTNRR
HKG22043.507
JPN2112-0.015
CAM2020-3.5
Group C
TeamMWLPTNRR
MAS22046.675
SGP21120.65
THA2020-7.325