It may have been a second string Bangladesh line-up, but Malaysia got awfully close to pulling off a remarkable upset in the quarter finals of the Asian Games men's cricket tournament yesterday in Hangzhou.

Choosing to bat first, Bangladesh quickly found themselves three down with just three runs on the board with both openers out for ducks, Mahmudul Hasan Joy without even facing a ball. A recovery led by an unbeaten 50 from captain Saif Hassan helped them post 116-5 from their 20 overs.

Malaysia also lost three wickets early in their reply, but Virandeep Singh batted superbly to get Malaysia close, bringing up his 50 from 33 balls with a four from the first ball of the penultimate over. At this point Malaysia had 11 balls to get six runs, but Rishad Hossain was able to concede just one more run - and take a wicket - from the next five deliveries.

With five needed and Virandeep on strike, Afif Hossain held his nerve with three dots from the first three balls of the final over. Virandeep then tried to hit a wideish delivery over long-on to break the stranglehold but only suceded in holing out to the fielder. Two more runs came but Malaysia had fallen agonisingly short, losing by two runs.

Nepal were also competitve in their quarter final against India the previous day. After India racked up 202-4 from their 20 overs - Yashasvi Jaiswal clubbing 100 from 49 balls - Nepal responded with 179-9, losing by 23 runs.

Hong Kong's game against Pakistan went a little more to form, with Pakistan being bowled out for 160 - Ayush Shukla taking 4-49 - before bowling their opponents out for just 92 to secure a 68 run win.

The semi-final line-up is completed by Afghanistan who eked out an eight run win against Sri Lanka yesterday.