Bangladesh will start their campaign in the Asian Games men’s cricket when they will face Malaysia in the quarter-final in Guangzhou today.
Malaysia already flexed their muscle in the tournament when they defeated China by 89 runs at the group stage in what was the first ever men’s cricket match on Chinese soil.
AFP reports from Guangzhou: Pakistan captain Khalid Latif smashed the first century of the Asian Games cricket tournament on Monday as the favourites crushed China by 128 runs to reach the semi-finals.
The 24-year-old opener hit an unbeaten 103 in 69 balls which featured eight fours and five sixes as Pakistan made 183-1 off their 20 overs with Sharieel Khan making 46.
It was China’s second successive defeat in the tournament, having lost to Malaysia by 89 runs, and ended their brief, first flirtation with international cricket.
China never recovered from their precarious position of 11-4 when they started their reply while five of their batsmen were bowled as they failed to cope with Pakistan pace and direction.
Only Li Jian reached double figures, making 14 with three confident fours.
Raza Hassan took 3-10 while Aizaz Cheema finished with figures of 3-15 for Pakistan.
Latif said he hoped success at the Games would help resurrect his international career with the 2011 World Cup starting in South Asia in February.
