UNB, Dhaka :
Bangladesh men’s team secured consolation bronze medal in the 17th Asian Games Cricket beating Hong Kong by 17 runs in the play-off match at the Yeonhui Cricket Ground in Incheon, South Korea on Friday.
Earlier, on Thursday, last-time champions Bangladesh’s dream mission for gold came to an unexpected end in the semifinal stage as the coin favored Sri Lanka during the toss that decided the rain interrupted match.
In the day’s match, Bangladesh batted first after winning the toss and scored 162 runs for 6 wickets in stipulated 20 overs.
All rounder Shakib Al Hasan scored team highest 46 runs off 37 balls with two sixes while number six batsman Mahmudullah scored unbeaten 35 runs off 21 balls with one four and two sixes.
Number three Shamsur Rahman scored 26 runs off 19 balls with two fours and a six, opener Tamim Iqbal made 22 runs off 19 balls with three fours while opening batsman Anamul Haque Bijoy and number five Sabbir Rahman added 11 runs each.
Nadeem Ahmed grabbed three wickets for 36 runs in four overs while Aizaz Khan and Nizakat Khan took one wicket apiece for 25 and 30 runs respectively.
Chasing 163 runs, Hong Kong ended with 135 for 7 in 20 overs.
Mark Chapman (38), opener Irfan Ahmed (31), Aizaz Khan (not out 26), Sakhawat Ali (11) and John Patrick Roy Lamsam (not out 10) were the notable scorers for Hong Kong.
Arafat Sunny claimed three wickets for 22 runs, Shakib Al Hasan grabbed two wickets for 23 runs and Rubel Hossain took one wicket for 35 runs .
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka clinched the gold medal beating Afghanistan by 68 runs in the event at the same venue today (Friday) while Afghanistan maintained the 2nd consecutive silver medal in the Asiad men’s cricket.
In the final, Sri Lanka scored 133 runs for all in 20 overs while Afghanistan were all out for 65 runs in 20 overs.
