JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Pakistan secured their place in the Asia Cup 2025 final, defeating Bangladesh by 11 runs in a tense Super Four match at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday night.
Pakistan’s bowlers rose to the occasion, restricting Bangladesh to 124-9 in their 20 overs. This victory marks the first time Pakistan will face India in the Asia Cup final.
Pakistan lost the toss and were asked to bat on a bowler-friendly pitch. At first, Bangladesh’s decision seemed to pay off as Pakistan struggled, managing only 135-8.
However, Pakistan’s bowlers put up a strong fight, with Saim Ayub taking the key wicket of Bangladesh captain Jaker Ali, leaving them at 73-6. Ayub’s brilliant bowling performance included two wickets, including that of Nurul Hasan.
Afridi led the attack, taking back-to-back wickets, dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy in the early overs, while Haris Rauf’s spell helped seal Bangladesh’s fate. Rauf dismissed Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Taskin Ahmed, pushing Bangladesh’s prospects of winning out of reach.
Pakistan’s bowlers restricted Bangladesh to 124-9, with Rauf and Shaheen Afridi’s performances standing out. Despite a solid performance by Taskin Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan with the ball, Pakistan’s total of 135 proved to be enough for victory.
Earlier, Pakistan’s batting line-up struggled, particularly in the early stages. Pakistan were reeling at 5 for 2 in the first two overs, with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub both dismissed cheaply.
The Green Shirts desperately sought a solid partnership, but they were rocked by brilliant spells from leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who claimed the crucial wickets of Fakhar Zaman and Hussain Talat in what was dubbed a ‘virtual semifinal’. By the end of the 10th over, Pakistan were struggling at 47-4.
Signs of frustration were evident for Pakistan when captain Salman Ali Agha faltered against Mustafizur Rahman. He was initially given not out on appeal, but a successful review for Bangladesh saw him dismissed.
Pakistan were in deep trouble at 49-5 as the 2012 Asia Cup winners continued to lose wickets in quick succession, with Bangladesh’s bowlers putting in an exceptional performance.
Afridi failed to offer significant support despite his best efforts, scoring 19 runs off 13 balls before Taskin Ahmed dismissed him in the 13.3 overs.
Mohammad Haris, alongside Muhammad Nawaz who came in after Agha, briefly formed a partnership, but a poor shot saw wicket-keeper batter dismissed, leaving Pakistan at 109-7. Haris, who had looked steady, became impatient and was caught and bowled by Mahedi in the 17.3 overs.
Pakistan lost their eighth wicket at 120 when Mohammad Nawaz was dismissed by Taskin in the 18.2 overs after hitting two sixes and a four. Faheem Ashraf, though, held the fort, scoring 14 not out off 9 balls. He finished the innings with a full-toss delivery, adding two more runs and setting a target of 136 for Bangladesh to chase.
Taskin delivered a brilliant spell, claiming three wickets, including that of Nawaz, after previously dismissing Sahibzada Farhan and Afridi. The 30-year-old pacer gave away just 28 runs, while spinners Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan each claimed two wickets, leaving Pakistan’s batting lineup in disarray.
Afridi was named Player of the Match for his spectacular bowling performance. This is his 10th player-of-the-match award, the most by any fast bowler in the world in Men’s T20Is.
The pacer, who took three wickets for 17 runs and also contributed 19 runs to Pakistan’s total, said, “I want to dedicate this award to my beautiful wife and son,” during the post-match ceremony. “Early breakthroughs are crucial for us as a team, and I go for that. In a small total, early breakthroughs make a difference. Three overs in the powerplay — that’s the difference.”
Afridi also spoke about the wicket of Shamim Hossain, revealing that he had been working on that delivery for some time. “No, no. I was working on this delivery and it’s good that I delivered when we needed it,” he said. “We needed that wicket and we got it. Our team is ready for the final against India.”
He also added that the Pakistan team is ready for the final against India.
Pakistan Captain Agha praised his team’s collective effort, acknowledging coach Mike Hesson and fielding coach Shane McDermott for their support. He also commended Afridi and Rauf for their outstanding contributions and expressed his delight at reaching the final.
Skipper said he looks forward to meeting India again. “We are very excited,” said Agha. “We know what we need to do, and we are a good enough team to beat anyone, and we will come on Sunday and try to beat them.”
On the other hand, Bangladesh captain Jaker Ali credited his bowlers for their efforts, but lamented the lack of support from the batting unit. “As a batting unit, we’ve lost the last two matches. As a bowling unit, we did very well. The boys are performing admirably,” he said.
