DUBAI: Pakistan booked their place in the Asia Cup 2025 final as they defeated Bangladesh by 11 runs in the death-or-glory Super Four match at the Dubai International Stadium on Thursday night.
Pakistan bowler took the challenge well as they cornered Bangladesh batters, leaving them with 124 for nine at the end of their 20 overs. This will be the first time Pakistan and India play each other in the Asia Cup final.
Pakistan lost the toss and were made to bat first on a bowler-friendly pitch. At first, Captain Jakar Ali of Bangladesh seemed to have made a wise decision, as Pakistan struggled with the bat, only managing 135 for eight in their first 10 overs.
But, as bad as Pakistan were with the bat, Bangladesh also made the same mistakes as their opponents, misjudging and having poor shot selection.
Despite all odds, Pakistan successfully created a stranglehold over Bangladesh through fantastic bowling by Saim Ayub as he took the crucial wicket of Bangladesh captain Jakar Ali 73-6. Ayub made up for his lackluster batting with brilliant bowling as he took two wickets, including that of Nurul Hasan.
Shaheen Shah Afridi gave the much-needed confidence as he led the attack, taking back-to-back wickets of Parvez Hossain Emon in the very first over of the match and then dismissing Towhid Hridoy in 4.2 overs.
He then sent Shamim Hossain onto the field to strengthen Pakistan’s position in the match, while Bangladesh was at 97 runs after 16.5 overs. Haris Rauf effectively ended Bangladesh’s chances of winning the match by dismissing Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Taskin Ahmed.
Pakistan finished their nightmare innings with a total of 135 runs for eight wickets.
Pakistan were 120 for eight as they lost big-hitter Muhammad Nawaz to Taskin in 18.2 overs, after smashing two sixes and a four during his time on the pitch.
Pacer Taskin had a brilliant spell on the night as he picked his third wicket with Nawaz, having dismissed Sahibzada Farhan and Shaheen Shah Afridi. The 30-year-old only gave away 28 runs, while spinners Rishad and Mahedi took two wickets each, bamboozling Pakistan’s batting line-up.
After Nawaz, Faheem held for scoring 14 not out off nine and wrapped up the 20 overs with two runs on a full-toss, to set a target of 136 for Bangladesh to chase. The 2012 Asia Cup winners successively lost half of the team in the 11th over against exceptional bowling by Bangladesh.
Mohammad Haris was looking to be the voice of reason and the man who was willing to stand on the pitch, but he too became impatient and was caught and bowled by Mahedi in the 17.3 overs.
Haris, with Muhammad Nawaz, who came after Salman Ali Agha, was having a good partnership for a bit before the disappointing shot. Pakistan were 109 for seven.
Despite losing Haris, Pakistan managed to get 12 runs from Mahedi’s over with Faheem Ashraf on the pitch.
Shaheen Shah Afridi also fell short of supporting Pakistan further, despite his best effort in the moment that resulted in 19 runs off 13 balls, when Taskin brought him down in the 13.4 overs.
The signs of frustration were apparent for Pakistan when captain Salman Ali Agha faltered on Mustafizur Rahman’s ball, who was declared a not-out on the appeal, but the review proved to be useful for Bangladesh.
