Bangladesh women’s cricket team will return home from Japan empty-handed after they lost to Pakistan by 31 runs in the bronze medal deciding contest of the ongoing Asian Games 2026 on Tuesday.
Chasing a target of 146 runs, Bangladesh lost three quick wickets to get reduced to 20-3 before Nigar Sultana Joty, who was playing her last match as skipper, and Sharmin Akhter added 47 runs for the fourth wicket at the Korogi Sports Park.
However, the slow batting actually did bad rather than any good to Bangladesh chase as required run rate went upto nearly 11.
Joty was finally dismissed after making 25 off 30 balls while lower order batters failed to make big impact as Bangladesh could only make 114-7 in their alloted 20 overs.
Sharmin remained not out on 45 off 46 balls while Nahida made 10 off six balls not out. For Pakistan, off-spinner Umm-e-Hani claimed three wickets.
This is the first time Bangladesh women’s cricket team will return home without any medal from Asian Games.
The Tigresses have featured in three previous editions of the Asian Games, winning two silver medals and one bronze. They made their debut in Guangzhou in 2010 and claimed silver before repeating the feat in Incheon in 2014. Bangladesh then won bronze in Hangzhou in 2023 after defeating Pakistan.
Earlier, Pakistan openers gave them a decent start after they opted to bat first as they put up 46 runs but Bangladesh bowlers bounced back and reduced them to 67-5.
Skipper Fatima Sana then struck a brilliant 45 off 30 balls and shared a 67-run stand with Aliya Riaz (25 off 22 balls) to help Pakistan finish with a decent total of 145-8.
Nahida, Shorna Akter and Ritu Moni all took two wickets each.
India will take on Sri Lanka in the gold medal match later today.
