Bangladesh fails to make semis in Asiad

Bangladesh men's cricket team failed to reach the semifinal of the 19th Asian Games cricket as they suffered a massive nine-wicket defeat to India in the first semifinal held at Zhejiang University of Technology Pingfeng Campus Cricket Field Stadium on Friday.

Bangladesh will now fight for the bronze medal in the third-place deciding match against the losers' of the second semifinal either Pakistan or Afghanistan.

The third-place match will be held tomorrow (Saturday) at the same venue.

Chasing Bangladesh's paltry total of 96 runs, the dominant Indian hardly had to sweat as they cake-walked into the target in 9.2 overs.

On an overcast day in Hangzhou, India won the toss and sent Bangladesh to bat on a pitch that has been susceptible to spin.

The decision immediately proved wise as Bangladesh were restricted at a small total of 96 for 9 in 20 overs with Sai Kishore scalped 3 for 12 and Washington Sundar bagged 2 for 15.

Only three Bangladesh batsmen were able to reach the double digit, led by Jaker Ali's unbeaten 24.

While Bangladesh struggled, India's batsmen looked quite comfortable on the pitch reaching their target only in 9.2 overs for the loss of one wicket.

India's chase got off to a horror start as opener Yashasvi Jaiswal departed from the crease without disturbing the wicket board in the very first over, caught at fine leg.

However, Tilak Varma with unbeaten on 55 and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad unbeaten on 40 took India to the destination safely, securing no further damage.

Tilak Varma smashed six over boundaries and two boundaries facing 26 balls while Ruturaj hit three sixes and four fours during his 26-ball stay on the crease.

Ripon Mondol took the only wicket of India giving away 26 runs.

Earlier, The Bangladesh cricket team won gold in the 2010 Guangzhou Asiad and secured bronze in the 2014 Incheon Asiad.

India is taking part in an Asiad for the first time.

Source: BSS