In a thrilling encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 11 runs, securing their place in the Asia Cup 2025 final against India. The Super Four stage match saw Pakistan defend a modest total of 135/8, restricting Bangladesh to 124/9 in a nail-biting finish.
Bangladesh won the toss and opted to bowl first. Pakistan's innings saw contributions from Mohammad Haris (31 off 23) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15), helping them reach a total of 135/8 in their 20 overs. Taskin Ahmed starred for Bangladesh with three wickets, while Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan took two wickets each.
In response, Bangladesh struggled to build momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals. Shaheen Shah Afridi led the Pakistani attack, claiming 3 wickets for 17 runs. Haris Rauf also made a significant impact, taking 3 wickets for 33 runs. Saim Ayub contributed with the ball, taking 2 crucial wickets for 16 runs.
The final over saw Haris Rauf feeling some discomfort, requiring the physio to attend to him. Despite the injury scare, he continued to bowl and played a crucial role in securing the victory.
For Bangladesh, Jaker Ali shared his thoughts after the match, acknowledging the bowlers' efforts but lamenting the batting unit's performance in the last two matches. He praised the impressive performances of Rishad and Saif, while also noting that the team didn't provide them with enough support.
Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan's captain, expressed his thoughts after the match, "If you can win these kinds of games then we must be a special type of team". He lauded the outstanding bowling and fielding efforts, highlighting Shaheen and Haris's exceptional performance. Agha acknowledged the need for improvement in their batting and expressed confidence in a better performance in the final. He also praised Mohamed Haris as a special player who always prioritizes the team's needs.
The victory means that the Asia Cup 2025 final will be between India and Pakistan. This is the first time in the 17 editions of the Asia Cup that these two teams will clash in the final. The final is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Cricket fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating this high-stakes encounter between the two arch-rivals.
