DUBAI: Pakistan edged past Bangladesh by 11 runs in a must-win Super Fours encounter on Thursday, booking their place in the Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rivals India — the first time the two sides will meet in the tournament’s history.
Defending a modest 136-run target at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan’s bowling unit delivered under pressure. Left-arm spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi and fiery pacer Haris Rauf took three wickets apiece to bowl Bangladesh out for 124/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Shaheen Sets the Tone
Bangladesh’s chase got off to a disastrous start when Shaheen dismissed opener Parvez Hossain Emon for a duck in the very first over. Saif Hassan (18) and Towhid Hridoy (five) attempted to rebuild but fell in quick succession, leaving their side struggling at 29/3 inside the powerplay.
Mahedi Hasan (11) and Nurul Hasan briefly steadied the innings before Mohammad Nawaz broke the stand. Shamim Hossain then shouldered responsibility, keeping Bangladesh in the contest with a fighting 30 off 25 balls. But his dismissal to Shaheen in the 17th over all but ended Bangladesh’s hopes.
Haris Rauf returned to finish the job, striking twice in one over to reduce Bangladesh to 101/9. Despite a few late swings of the bat, the Tigers fell short, handing Pakistan a vital victory.
Pakistan’s Batting Struggles
Earlier, Bangladesh’s bowlers had kept Pakistan in check after stand-in captain Jaker Ali opted to field first. Pakistan collapsed to 33/4 inside nine overs as Sahibzada Farhan (four), Saim Ayub (zero), Fakhar Zaman (17) and Hussain Talat (three) all fell cheaply.
Skipper Salman Ali Agha (19) tried to steady the innings but perished to Mustafizur Rahman with the score at just 49/5. In a surprise move, Shaheen was promoted to No. 7 and counterattacked with a brisk 19 off 13 balls, hitting two sixes to lift the tempo.
The crucial stand, however, came between wicketkeeper Haris (31 off 23) and all-rounder Nawaz (25 off 15), who stitched together a 38-run seventh-wicket partnership. Their counterpunch ensured Pakistan crossed the 130-mark, eventually finishing on 135/8 in 20 overs.
Taskin Ahmed was Bangladesh’s most effective bowler with 3/28, while Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain chipped in with two wickets each.
Historic Final Looms
With this victory, Pakistan not only survived a do-or-die battle but also set up a dream final against India. The much-anticipated clash is expected to draw global attention, with both sides aiming to lift the Asia Cup trophy in what promises to be a high-voltage contest.
