Dubai: Pakistan and Bangladesh meet on late Thursday in what is effectively an eliminator for a place in the 2025 Asia Cup final, with arch-rivals India already waiting for Sunday’s title clash.
The Super Fours encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium starts at 7:30pm Pakistan local time.
Pakistan kept their campaign alive with a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, thanks to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 3-28. India, meanwhile, sealed their spot in the final with a dominant 41-run victory against Bangladesh on Wednesday.
The stakes could not be higher: the winner of Pakistan vs Bangladesh will join India in the final. Pakistan and India have never faced each other in an Asia Cup final, despite meeting twice already in this edition, both times won by India.
“We are here to win”
Shaheen, speaking ahead of Thursday’s clash, remained bullish about Pakistan’s chances. “We are here to win the cup, whichever team comes in the final, we are ready to beat them,” the left-arm pacer said.
India, the defending champions, have beaten Pakistan in their last seven international encounters, including four T20Is and three ODIs since September 2022.
That record prompted skipper Suryakumar Yadav to claim the rivalry “is not a rivalry any more”. Shaheen brushed aside the comments: “It is his opinion … our job is to win the Asia Cup, and we will make a complete effort to do that.”
Match details:
- Who: Pakistan vs Bangladesh
- What: Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours (T20I)
- When: Thursday, September 25, 7:30pm (Pakistan Time)
- Where: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE
