Bangladesh Vs Malaysia, 2023 Asian Games, Men's Cricket Quarter-final: Bangla Tigers Escape With 2-Run Win, Meet India In Semi-final

Bangladesh Cricket team managed to overthrow a big upset when the Malaysian team guided by Virandeep Singh's 52(39) was on the verge of going into the Asian Games semi-finals. Afif Hossain's brilliant bowling stopped the Malaysian team at the end by taking the crucial wicket of Virandeep Singh to seal the match for Bangladesh and also save a position in the semi-finals, where they will meet the neighbours, India.

Bangladesh's batting start was horrible. Captain Saif Hassan and Afif Hossain initiated the counter attack and somehow posted a respectable total of 116 runs on the board. Malaysia also did not start well but Virandeep Singh changed gears in the death overs and put Malaysia in the winning situation from where Afif rescued Bangladesh successfully. Catch all the important match details and highlights of BAN Vs MAS quarter-final match of the Asian Games 2023 from here. (Scorecard | Streaming | Full Coverage | Cricket News)

Bangladesh won by 2 runs!
In the last over, Bangladesh needed to defend 5 runs which was bravely done by Afif Hossain. Virandeep Singh can't be more unhappy with himself. Bangladesh will see India in the Semi-finals.

MAS - 114/8 (20)

Another twist, Virandeep Singh Departs!

The match is on for both teams
Virandeep Singh reaches his fifty with a bang and then Ainool loses his wicket. The match is taking a few turns here. Malaysia still needs 4 runs off 6 balls.

MAS - 113/7 (19)

Singles and doubles only at the moment
Malaysia is nearing the target with ease now. Virandeep and Ainool making no mistakes now, taking the match to the deep. Malaysia needs 10 runs in 12 balls

BAN - 107/6 (18)

Thriller is ON

Ainool Hafizs joins the party!!
Ainool Hafizs also started scoring boundaries after seeing Virandeep Singh going for big shots. Bangladesh bowlers are getting thrashed by the Malaysian tailenders. Malaysia now needs 16 runs in 18 balls.

MAS - 101/6 (17)

Malaysia nearing the target; Virandeep Singh Going Big!!
Malaysia have shifted the batting gears as Virandeep Singh and Vijay Unni started hitting boundaries, but two wickets of Unni and Sharvin in quick successions again put Malaysia in a dire situation. Virandeep Singh is hitting boundaries and making it possible for Malaysia single-handedly. Now, Malaysia needs 29 runs in 24 balls.

MAS - 88/6 (16)

Malaysia crawling toward the target
Syed Aziz Mubarak and Virandeep Singh played carefully and tried to score runs, but as Mubarak's wicket fell Malaysian team could be seen struggling at the run-chase. Now Virandeep Singh is joined by Vijay Unni on the crease. Malaysia still need 70 runs in 48 balls.

MAS - 47/4 (12)

Malaysia struggling after early wickets
Malaysia are also taking the same path that Bangladesh took during his innings. Afif Hossain's two dismissals in his first over have shattered the Malaysian innings now. He took the wickets of Muammad Amir 0(4) and Faiz 0(1). Malaysian batting is in a dire situation at the moment.

MAS - 23/3 (6)

Malaysian innings start!

Target set for Malaysia - 117 runs in 20 overs

Bangladesh even after giving early wickets very cheaply, managed to put 116 runs score somehow on the board. Saif Hossain's 50*(52) were some crucial runs that kept Bangladesh in the game. Now bowlers have to give their best and Malaysian batters will try to chase this target with ease. The winner of this match will play the Indian side in the semi-finals of the Asian Games 2023.

Bangladesh's innings finish on 116/5 (20)
With two consecutive fours off Jaker Ali's bat, Bangladesh have reached a respectable but low score. Malaysian now needs 117 runs to win this match.

BAN - 116/5 (20)

Bangladesh scored past 100
With 5 singles off the over, Bangladesh innings have finally reached the score of 100 in the 19th over.

BAN - 100/5 (19)

Only 2 runs off the 18th over
Saif Hassan needs to take the strike now and score some boundaries here at this moment in the match.

BAN - 95/5 (18)

Shahadat goes!
Shahadat Hossain goes 21(26) after trying to score quick runs. The new man is Jaker Ali. Saif Hassan needs to change gears now.

BAN - 93/5 (17)

Saif Hassan starts attacking!
Saif Hassan has hinted at some big shots incoming. With six in the over of Muhammad Amir, Saif has cleared his intentions and would like to increase as many runs as possible in the next four overs.

BAN - 86/5 (16.1)

Malaysian bowlers are in control!
Malaysian bowlers have good a great job so far. Taking early wickets, good fielding and bowling with a proper plan and giving no chance to the opponents have been so good to see from a side that is far below the ranking. The winner of this match will play India in the semi-finals.

BAN - 76/4 (15)

Bangladesh taking no risk at the moment
Sai and Shahadat at the crease are taking no risks at the moment results of which, Bangladesh is struggling to add runs on the board. The score is crawling.

BAN - 63/4 (13)

Saif Hassan and Shahadat Hossain playing safe cricket
Saif and Shahadat are taking singles and doubles at the moment, giving no chance to Malaysia for any more wickets. Need a good partnership from here for the Bangladesh side. Malaysia looking for more wickets.

BAN - 56/4 (10)

The Malaysian side have impressed very much so far. The bowling and fielding de[partment both have been commendable and now they will focus on winning this match from this moment. The winner of this match will face the Indian National team in the semi-finals of the Asian Games.

Dangerous Afif Hossain Departs!
Afif Hossain started the counter-attacking from the Bangladesh side but could not last more after being caught by Zulkifle on Pawandeep's bowling. Hossain goes for a quick 23(14).

BAN - 42/4 (7)

Afif Hossain starts the counter-attacking!
Experienced Afif Hossain is giving no time to the Malaysian bowlers to hold control in the match. He started his innings with two fours on Vijay Unni and one six on Pavandeep. Saif Hassan targets Vijay Unni.

BAN - 39/3 (6)

Another over, another wicket! Zakir Hasan is gone!
Bangladesh have lost three wickets in three consecutive overs and is in a struggling position. Malaysian bowlers are in good control and the match is in the hands of Malaysians at the moment. Zakir Hasan goes for 1(6).

BAN - 3/3 (3)

Parvez Hossain Emon also departs! Bangladesh struggling!
The second wicket of Bangladesh goes as Parvez was found in front of the wickets. Bangladesh needs a partnership here. Malaysia bowlers are on fire!

BAN - 2/2 (2)

Mahmudul Hasan Joy is run-out!
Parvez Hossain Emon called for the run but Hasan Joy could not reach the crease in time and had to go back to the pavilion. Bad start for the Bengal Tigers.

BAN - 1/1 (1)

Bangladesh's batting starts!

Bangladesh have won the toss and have opted to bat

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Jaker Ali(w), Parvez Hossain Emon, Zakir Hasan, Saif Hassan(c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Afif Hossain, Rishad Hossain, Shahadat Hossain, Sumon Khan, Rakibul Hasan, Ripon Mondol

Malaysia (Playing XI): Syed Aziz Mubarak, Zubaidi Zulkifle, Muhammad Amir Azim, Virandeep Singh, Sharvin Muniandy, Syazrul Idrus, Ahmad Faiz(c), Vijay Unni, Ainool Hafizs(w), Anwar Rahman, Pavandeep Singh

Preview

Bangladesh, the winners of the first gold medal in Asian Games men's cricket, face minnows Malaysia in the fourth and final quarter-final of the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China on Wednesday. The winners of the BAN vs MAS match will face India, who defeated a spirited Nepal on Tuesday, for a place in the final. With the cream of Bangla cricket already camping in India for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, the team led by Saif Hassan mainly features young players. Yet still, they will start as heavy favourites against Malaysia.

When cricket was included for the first time as a medal sport in the 2010 Asian Games (Guangzhou, China), Bangladesh won the men's competition with relative ease, winning three games on the trot. And that winning spree, if we may, started with a 70-run against Malaysia with Mohammad Mithun and Mohammad Ashraful -- both legends of Bangladesh cricket -- making telling contributions.

Bangladesh did mount a series title defence in the following edition, but they were undone by a spin of a coin, unbelievably, in Incheon, South Korea as their semi-final match against Sri Lanka was declared no result due to rain. In the bronze medal play-off, Bangladesh beat Hong Kong by 27 runs to win medals in back-to-back editions of the Asian Games.

Malaysia, on the other hand, have appeared in the quarter-finals in the previous two editions. This time again, they won their group ahead of Singapore (beat by 73 runs) and Thailand (beat by 194 runs) to qualify for the knockouts. Another massive test awaits them.

Squads
Bangladesh: Saif Hassan (c), Zakir Hasan (wk), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shahadat Hossain, Yasir Ali, Mosaddek Hossain, Jaker Ali, Parvez Hossain Emon, Tanvir Islam, Rishad Hossain, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Rakibul Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Sumon Khan, Ripon Mondol

Malaysia: Syed Aziz Mubarak, Zubaidi Zulkifle, Muhammad Amir Azim, Virandeep Singh, Sharvin Muniandy, Syazrul Idrus, Ahmad Faiz (c), Vijay Unni, Ainool Hafizs (wk), Anwar Rahman, Pavandeep Singh, Aiman Zaquan Ridzuan, Muhammad Akram, Haiqal Mohd Khair, Sharveen Surendran.