Key Points
- Shaheen Shah Afridi starred with both bat (19 off 13) and ball (3/17), earning Player of the Match
- Despite a low total of 135, Pakistan’s bowlers held their nerve to seal a tense Super Four victory to meet India again in the final on Sunday
DUBAI: Pakistan booked their spot in the Asia Cup 2025 final after defeating Bangladesh by 11 runs in a tense Super Four knockout clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday. The win sets up a mouth-watering rematch with archrivals India in Sunday’s final at the same venue.
Despite a batting collapse that saw them post a modest 135, Pakistan’s pace-powered bowling attack, led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, rose to the occasion under pressure.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, shining with a spell of 3/17 and scoring crucial 19 off 13 balls with two maximum, was declared player of the match.
Pakistan’s Innings: Scrappy but just enough
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Pakistan struggled early on, reduced to 5/2 inside two overs. Contributions from Mohammad Haris (31 off 23) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15) injected some much-needed momentum. Shaheen Afridi (19 off 13) also chipped in with two timely sixes, helping Pakistan crawl to 135/8.
Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh, claiming 3 wickets for 28 runs, while Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan took two each, keeping the Pakistani batters under pressure throughout the innings.
Bangladesh’s Chase: Close but not close enough
In reply, Bangladesh faltered early, losing Parvez Hossain Emon for 0 in the first over. Despite Shamim Hossain’s fighting 30 off 25 and Rishad Hossain’s late cameo (16 off 11), the Tigers fell short, finishing at 124/9 in 20 overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers held their nerve brilliantly. Shaheen Shah Afridi was lethal up front and at the death, returning 3/17 in 4 overs. Haris Rauf matched his strike partner with 3 wickets, while part-timer Saim Ayub surprised with 2 crucial breakthroughs, including that of captain Jaker Ali.
Final Awaits: India vs Pakistan
This hard-fought win propels Pakistan into the Asia Cup final, where they will face India once again in what promises to be an electric encounter. India had already sealed their place in the final with two Super Four wins.
