Women's cricket team reaches Asian Games final

Pakistan romp to impressive nine-wicket win over Japan as Javeria Wadood cracks 29 off 25 balls.

GUANGZHOU: Pakistan reached the Asian Games women's cricket final by beating Japan by nine wickets on Thursday.

Pakistan romped to an impressive nine-wicket win over Japan who were restricted to 61-8 after skipper Ema Kuribayashi won the toss and elected to bat.

Javeria Wadood cracked 29 off 25 balls as Pakistan reached their target with almost 10 overs left.

"Bangladesh are a good team but we are confident for the final," said Nina Rashid who made an unbeaten 27.

Nida Rashid made 27 runs, while also taking one wicket. Pakistan captain Sana Mir and bowler Masooma also took one wicket each with Sana Gulzar taking two wickets.

Bangladesh ease past China

China's cricket aspirations suffered a reality check when Bangladesh eased to a nine-wicket win in a brutally one-sided Asian Games women's semi-final.

China, who had squeezed into the last four with a one-run win over Thailand, were bowled out for just 34 in the 16th over with the home side struggling against Bangladesh's slow bowlers.

Only Sun Mengyao, with 10, managed to reach double figures while captain Salma Khatun, with 3-4, was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers.

"Bangladesh and Pakistan have been playing cricket since they were very young," said China's vice-captain Sun Huan.

"They have mastered the game. We came to know about the sport when we were in our teens, so we are just babies compared to them. It's good enough to make it to the top four."

Bangladesh coach Rai Choudhury believes China can become a force in the game in years to come.

"They have trained for the last three years. I think they are a team with great potential because they are progressive and don't give up," said Choudhury.

"As time passes, they will make great progress."

Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the final on Friday.

'India should play 2014 Games cricket'

Pakista appealed to bitter rivals India to send a team to the 2014 edition at Incheon in South Korea after reaching the final.

India, the financial powerhouse of the world game, refused to send either a men's or women's squad to Guangzhou, a decision that threatened to undermine the credibility of the sport which is making its Games debut.

"Cricket should be at the Asian Games and so should India and other strong teams from Asia," said Pakistan's Nida Rashid, whose 27 runs helped her team maul Japan by nine wickets in Thursday's semi-finals.

Cricket was in danger of being dropped from the 2014 Games by the Incheon organisers until a last-minute compromise with the Asian Cricket Council and the Olympic Council of Asia was hammered out.