ISLAMABAD: Bangladesh beat Pakistan to clinch the bronze medal in the cricket competition of the 19th Asian Games in China’s Hangzhou city in a last-ball thriller on Saturday.

Pakistan, whose ambitions to secure a gold medal were dashed after they were beaten by Afghanistan at the same venue on Friday, locked horns with Bangladesh for the third spot in a match delayed by rain and shortened to 13 overs a side.

Bangladesh won the toss and opted to field first. Pakistan managed only 48-1 after five overs before rain interrupted play. Pakistani batter Mirza Baig scored an unbeaten 32 off 18 balls, his innings featuring four fours and two sixes.

“As no further play was possible during Pakistan’s innings, Bangladesh were given a revised target of 65 to win from five overs,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.

“In the run-chase, Bangladesh got off to a flying start and were on course to achieve the target with ease, needing 25 runs from two overs.”

However, Pakistani fast bowler Arshad Iqbal conceded only five runs in the penultimate over and dismissed Afif Hossain (20 runs from 11 balls), leaving Bangladesh requiring 20 runs in the final over.

Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem conceded 16 runs in the first four deliveries but delivered the goods when he dismissed Bangladeshi batter Yasir Ali (38 runs from 16 balls).

With Bangladesh needing only 4 runs from the last ball, Rakibul Hasan struck a boundary to help his side clinch the bronze medal.

For Pakistan, Arshad was the most successful bowler with three for 14 runs from two overs.