INCHEON: Pakistan retained their gold medal in the Asian Games women’s Twenty20 cricket tournament, overpowering Bangladesh by four runs on a Duckworth/Lewis method at the Yeonhui Cricket Ground here on Friday.

The green-shirts scored 97 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs after opting to bat first in overcast conditions.

Bangladesh was given a revised target of 43 to win in seven overs after heavy downpour interrupted the match.

However, Bangladesh were restricted to 38-9 despite a promising start of 13 runs in as many balls by their openers.

Rumana Ahmed scored 10 of nine with one four and Ayesha Ahmad struck one four in her seven off six balls.

With Bangladesh cruising well at 30-2 at the start of the fifth over, Sadia Yousuf clean bowled Fargana Haque for 10 on her second ball and removed captain Salma Khatun for one on the last ball of her match-changing over.

Sadia took two wickets for two runs in one over, Nida Dar had the same figures while Sana Mir grabbed two wickets for 11 runs in two overs as Bangladesh’s last seven wickets crumbled for eight runs in 17 balls and they slumped from 30-2 to 38-9 in chase of 43 runs.

Earlier, electing to bat first, Pakistan raised a total of 97 for the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs.

Bismah Maroof batted brilliantly for her 24 off 27 balls with one boundary.

Marina Iqbal got 14 on 24 balls while Nida Dar slammed an unbeaten 10 off seven balls with one hit to the boundary.

Sana Mir scored 10 off 12 balls.

Bangladesh spinner Rumana Ahmad contained Pakistan’s flow of runs by taking two wickets of Marina Iqbal and Nain Abidi and eventually restricted Pakistan to 97-6.

At an emotional but impressive medals ceremony, Pakistan’s national anthem was played and its flag was hoisted as Sana Mir’s team received the gold medals.

President of the Pakistan Olympic Association and vice president of the Olympic Council of Asia Syed Arif Hasan awarded the medals to the Pakistan team amid cheer of modest crowd.

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar M. Khan, meanwhile, congratulated the team.

“Pakistan women team’s triumph is a matter of pride for all of us, especially because it is our first gold medal in the ongoing Asian Games,” the PCB chairman said in a message to team manager Ayesha Ashhar.

He added, “This is an important victory as it will provide great encouragement and boost to women cricket in the country.”

Sri Lanka defeated China by five wickets in the playoff for third place.

China’s number three batswoman Yu Miao top scored with 26 off 47 balls with one hit to the boundary as China collected 65 for the loss of five wickets in their 20 overs after choosing to bat first.

Zhang Mei scored nine runs after facing 35 deliveries.

Yu was the only Chinese player to have reached the double figure.

Left-arm spinner Inoka Ranawwera was the pick of Sri Lankan bowling attack, taking two wickets for 18 runs in four overs.

Sri Lanka in reply reached the target for the loss of five wickets in 17.1 overs.

Opener Chamari Jayangi smashed three boundaries in her enterprising 23-ball knock.

Siriwardene and Surangika both scored 12 each.

Summarised scores:

Gold medal match:

PAKISTAN 97-6 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 24, Nain Abidi 18, Marina Iqbal 14, Nida Dar 10 not out, Sana Mir 10; Rumana Ahmad 2-13); BANGLADESH 38-9 in 7 overs (Rumana Ahmad 10, Fargana Hoque 10; Sadia Yousuf 2-2, Nida Dar 2-2, Sana Mir 2-11).

Bronze medal match:

CHINA 65-6 in 20 overs (Yu Miao 26; Maduri Samuddika 2-15, Inoka Ranweera 2-18); SRI LANKA 66-5 in 17.1 overs (Chamari Attapattu 16, Delani Manodara 12, Shikala Hettimulla 12; Feng Song 2-8 ).

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2014