INCHEON - Defending champion Pakistan and runners-up Bangladesh are directly placed in the quarter-finals of XVII Asian Games Women Twenty20 Cricket Championship, according to schedule provided in the official media guide of the games.
Sana Mir's team had won the gold medal at Guangzhou in China in 2010 by beating Bangladesh in the final by 10 wickets thanks to a brilliant all-round show by Nida Dar. Nida, 27-year-old from Gujranwala, who is here with the team, won the man of the match awarded by taking three wickets for 16 with his off-breaks and smashed an unbeaten 51 in 47 balls to steal the limelight.
With India opting out of the men and women cricket event of the Asiad, Pakistan got bright chances to retain their crown in presence of Bangladesh and Sri Lankan teams. Pakistan will take on top team of group "D" in the quarterfinals while Bangladesh clash with group "D" number two team on Sept 24 at Yeonhui Cricket Ground. China, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Nepal and Hong Kong teams are also taking part in the women competition. In absence of India and Pakistan teams from the men championship, defending champion Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh favourites to reach the final.