Women’s Cricket Team Returns Empty-Handed from the Asian Games for the First Time

Bangladesh women’s cricket team will return home empty-handed from Japan after losing to Pakistan by 31 runs in the bronze medal match at the ongoing Asian Games 2026. The defeat in this match held on Tuesday confirmed the Tigresses’ medal-less tour at the Asian Games.

Chasing a target of 146, Bangladesh found themselves in trouble after losing 3 wickets for just 20 runs. Then, Nigar Sultana Jyoti and Sharmin Akhtar, who were playing as captain for the last time, added 47 runs for the fourth wicket at the Korogi Sports Park.

However, their slow batting made it more difficult for the team to win rather than increasing it, resulting in the required run rate approaching almost 11.

Jyoti was dismissed for 25 runs off 30 balls. As the next-row batters failed to make an impact, Bangladesh were restricted to 114 runs for 7 wickets in the allotted 20 overs.

Sharmin remained unbeaten on 45 off 46 balls and Nahida scored 10 off 6 balls. Off-spinner Umm Hani took 3 wickets for Pakistan.

For the first time in the history of the Asian Games, the Bangladesh women’s cricket team is returning home empty-handed without any medals.

The Tigresses had won two silver medals and a bronze medal in the previous three editions. They won silver in their first appearance in Guangzhou in 2010. Bangladesh then repeated the same performance in Incheon in 2014. The Tigresses most recently won bronze in Hangzhou in 2022, defeating Pakistan.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, making a good start with the opening pair scoring 46 runs. However, Bangladesh’s bowlers made a brilliant comeback and reduced them to 67 for 5.

Later, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana played a brilliant innings of 45 runs off 30 balls. She put on a 67-run partnership with Alia Riaz (25 off 22 balls) to take the team to a respectable score of 145 for 8.

For Bangladesh, Nahida, Swarna Akhtar and Ritu Moni each took 2 wickets.

India will face Sri Lanka in the gold medal match in the next match today.