Abdul Samad smashed 22 off five balls in an unbeaten 30 on Thursday as Pakistan's men cruised into their maiden Asian Games cricket final, where arch-rivals India are the potential opponents.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan thumped Bangladesh by six wickets with nine balls to spare in a semi-final reduced to 13 overs because the outfield was too wet for play at the start time of 9:00 am.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They will face either world champions India or Sri Lanka, who clash later, for the gold medal on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"To be honest, we don't really care about who will win and who will reach the final," said Pakistan batsman Saim Ayub, who scored 21.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"All we care about is winning the final, no matter who we are playing against."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan asked Bangladesh to bat on a heavily cracked pitch that had been covered for almost a week at the Korogi Athletic Park Stadium because of torrential rain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Under clear blue skies, Pakistan's bowlers then had Bangladesh reeling at 21-3 and then 45-4 in the sixth over.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Towhid Hridoy led a recovery with 42 off 25 balls with two fours and four sixes as Bangladesh posted 111-7.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan lost three early wickets as they chased quick runs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
But once Samad and Hasan Nawaz came together at 53-4 in the seventh over the result never looked in doubt.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The pair posted an unbroken stand of 59 in 32 balls as they raced to their target.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Samad was 30 not out at the end off 15 balls while Nawaz was on 27 at the end.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The match was effectively decided by Samad's remarkable 22 runs off five balls in the 10th over, bowled by Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman, when Pakistan still needed 36 from 24 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nawaz prodded a single off to third man off the first ball before Samad launched a towering six over long on and four fours off consecutive deliveries to leave Pakistan needing only 13 from 18 balls.<\/p>\r\n\r\n