DOHA, Qatar: Bangladesh ‘A’ delivered a commanding bowling display to restrict Pakistan Shaheens for 125 in their 20 overs in the final of Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Pakistan’s innings unraveled from the very first ball, when opener Yasir Khan was run out for a duck by Abdul Ghaffar Saqlain. The collapse worsened moments later as Mohammad Faiq was bowled for a second-ball duck, leaving the Shaheens stunned at 2 for 2 within 1.1 overs.
Wicketkeeper Ghazi Ghori and Maaz Sadaqat attempted to rebuild with a 23-run partnership, but Ghori’s run-a-ball nine ended when Rakibul Hasan struck. Sadaqat, the tournament’s top run-scorer, top-scored early with a brisk 23 off 18—including two fours and a six—before he was removed by Jishan Alam, reducing the side to 49 for 4 in the seventh over.
Arafat Minhas and captain Irfan Niazi stitched together a brief stand to take Pakistan past 50, but Ghaffar Saqlain ended the revival by dismissing Arafat for a valuable 25 off 23 balls. Rakibul then removed Irfan for a gritty nine off 22, leaving the Shaheens at 64 for 6 in the 11th over.
Saad Masood provided much-needed resistance, smashing 38 off 26 deliveries with three fours and three sixes to push Pakistan beyond the 100-run mark in the 17th over. He and Shahid Aziz shared a steady partnership before Aziz was trapped LBW by Ripon Mondol for nine.
Mondol continued his excellent spell, dismissing Masood shortly afterward and then removing Ubaid Shah for a duck to complete a three-wicket haul.
The innings came to an end on the final ball when Daniyal was run out for two, leaving Sufiyan unbeaten on four from five balls as Pakistan Shaheens were bowled out for 125.
Pakistan Shaheens Playing XI
Maaz Sadaqat, Yasir Khan, Mohammad Faiq, Irfan Khan Niazi (c), Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Arafat Minhas, Shahid Aziz, Ahmed Daniyal, Ubaid Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem.
Bangladesh A Playing XI
Habibur Rahman Sohan, Jishan Alam, Akbar Ali (c/wk), SM Meherob, Mahfuzur Rahman, Mrittunjoy Chowdhary, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Yasir Ali, Rakibul Hasan, Ripon Mondol, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain.
