Bangladesh Women missed out on an Asian Games medal after suffering a 31-run defeat to Pakistan in the bronze medal match on Tuesday.

After losing to India in the semi-final, Nigar Sultana Joty and her team were unable to overcome Pakistan in the third-place playoff at Korogi Sports Park in Nagoya.

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first, posting 145-8 in their allotted 20 overs. Captain Fatima Sana led the way with a 30-ball 45, hitting three fours and three sixes.

Wicketkeeper-batter Gul Firoza also made a valuable contribution, scoring 31 off 23 balls with six boundaries.

Nahida Akter, Sorna Akter and Ritu Moni took two wickets each for Bangladesh.

In reply, Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships and finished on 114-7 in 20 overs. Sharmin Akter remained unbeaten on 46 off 45 balls, hitting four boundaries, while captain Nigar Sultana Joty scored 25 from 30 balls.

Pakistan spinner Umme Hani was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3-10.

Bangladesh reached 50 in 11.3 overs and brought up their 100 in 18.4 overs, but they could not produce the partnerships needed to chase down the target.

The defeat ended Bangladesh’s hopes of securing a medal in the event after coming close in the tournament.

For Pakistan, the victory marked a return to the Asian Games podium after 12 years. They last won gold at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Bangladesh had defeated Pakistan to win the bronze medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, making Tuesday’s contest an important one for both sides.