Pakistan Edges Bangladesh to Secure Asia Cup Final Spot
Dubai, 25 September 2025: In a thrilling encounter, Pakistan emerged victorious over Bangladesh by 11 runs, securing their place in the Asia Cup final against India this coming Sunday. The match, held at the Dubai International Stadium, showcased remarkable performances from pace bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, who played pivotal roles in Pakistan’s narrow win.
Bowling Brilliance: Shaheen and Haris Lead the Attack
The star of the show was undoubtedly Shaheen Shah Afridi, who not only claimed three wickets for just 17 runs but also contributed a quickfire 19 runs off 13 balls. He provided the perfect start to Pakistan’s defense of a modest total, dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon for a mere two-ball duck, marking his 22nd first-over wicket in T20 internationals. His excellent bowling saw Bangladesh falter early, reducing them to 23 for 2 within just 4.2 overs.
Haris Rauf supported Afridi admirably, ending with figures of 3 for 33. He struck at a crucial moment by taking the wicket of Saif Hassan, pushing Bangladesh further back to 36 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. These early breakthroughs were vital in maintaining pressure on the Bangladeshi batting lineup.
Pakistan’s bowling attack continued its dominance as Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub also joined the wicket-taking spree. Nawaz dismissed Mahedi Hasan, and Saim took down skipper Jaker Ali, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 44 for 4. Despite a brief revival from Shamim Hossain and Nurul Hasan, the mounting run rate proved to be a significant hurdle for Bangladesh.
Batting Struggles: Pakistan’s Modest Total
Earlier in the match, Pakistan found themselves in a precarious position after opting to bat first. They lost their opening two batsmen for just five runs within the first ten balls. Fakhar Zaman and Salman Ali Agha were both dismissed cheaply, leaving the team struggling at 49 for 5 in the tenth over.
Shaheen’s cameo of 19 runs, coupled with a resilient innings from Mohammad Haris, who scored 31 runs, helped Pakistan reach a total of 135 runs. The seventh-wicket partnership between Haris and Nawaz, which yielded 38 runs, was instrumental in lifting Pakistan past the 100-run mark. However, a final flourish from Faheem Ashraf helped take the total to 135-8 after 20 overs. Taskin Ahmed was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, picking up three wickets for 28 runs.
The Final Over Drama
As Bangladesh set out to chase 136, the pressure mounted as they lost wickets at regular intervals. With the required run rate climbing, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi kept tightening the noose. In the end, Bangladesh managed to score only 124 runs, falling short by 11 runs, with Shamim Hossain being the top scorer with 30 runs. Shaheen was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance, which included crucial wickets and a handy contribution with the bat.
Looking Ahead: Asia Cup Final
With this victory, Pakistan has set the stage for a highly anticipated final against India, promising to be a gripping contest between two cricketing giants. Fans can look forward to an exhilarating showdown, as both teams aim for the prestigious Asia Cup title. Pakistan’s bowlers will need to replicate their form if they are to outshine their rivals in what is expected to be an unforgettable match.
Scores in brief:
– **Pakistan:** 135-8 in 20 overs
– **Bangladesh:** 124-9 in 20 overs
– **Player of the Match**: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)
