Pakistan women beat Bangladesh to clinch Asian Games bronze

Pakistan's women's cricket team won the Asian Games bronze medal on Tuesday, defeating Bangladesh by 31 runs in the third-place match in Nisshin, Japan. Pakistan scored 145 for eight and then held Bangladesh to 114 for seven to claim third place in the women's cricket competition, according to Dawn.

Captain Fatima Sana top-scored with a counter-attacking 45, helping Pakistan recover and post a competitive total. Umm-e-Hani then delivered the decisive spell, taking three wickets for just 10 runs in her four overs. Her figures included a wicket-maiden, and her economy rate of 2.50 kept Bangladesh under pressure throughout the chase. Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals and never built the partnership needed to push the required run rate beyond reach.

The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the bronze-medal result against Bangladesh, while Radio Pakistan reported that Pakistan finished third in the women's cricket event. The medal is Pakistan's third in women's cricket at the Asian Games, following gold in 2010 and 2014, and is the country's first cricket medal of the current Games.

Elsewhere at the Asian Games, Pakistan's kabaddi team beat Malaysia 65-22 in their opening group match, leading 38-11 at half-time, according to Dawn. Asim Khan took bronze in mixed martial arts after losing his semi-final. The Express Tribune reported that the men's cricket squad has begun training and will depart for Japan on September 24, with Salman Mirza ruled out because of a thumb fracture.

The women's cricket event at the Asian Games is played in the T20 format. Pakistan's total of 145 for eight proved enough as the bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 114 for seven. The 31-run margin reflected the control Pakistan's bowlers exerted after Fatima Sana's innings gave the total greater respectability. The bronze adds to Pakistan's medal tally at the Games and continues the team's record of finishing on the podium in the competition.