Asia Cup: Pakistan secure final berth after 11-run victory over Bangladesh

Pakistan will face India for tournament trophy on Sunday
Skipper Agha confident of Pakistan win against India in Asia Cup final

DUBAI: 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.
Meanwhile, Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha has said that the national team players have capability to face any challengers and beat them, following their 11-run triumph over Bangladesh in Dubai that sealed them a spot in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 final.

The Green Shirts qualified for the summit clash after securing a hard-earned 11-run victory over Bangladesh in the high-stakes Super Four clash, which was concluded earlier today here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Put into bat first, Pakistan could accumulate 135/8 in their allotted 20 overs, courtesy of wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris, who top-scored with a 23-ball 31, comprising two fours and a six.

All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz (25) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (19) made handy contributions to Pakistan’s total.

In response, Bangladesh amassed 124/9 in their set of 20 overs despite Shamim Hossain’s gutsy 30-run knock and thus succumbed to a campaign-ending defeat.

Shaheen and Haris Rauf jointly led Pakistan’s bowling charge with two wickets, followed by Saim Ayub with two, while Nawaz chipped in with one scalp.

Reflecting on the victory at the post-match presentation, Pakistan captain Agha admitted room for improvement but remained confident in his team to come good in the historic final, scheduled to be played at the same venue on Sunday.

“If you can win these kinds of games, you must be a special team. Everyone chipped in. The way Shaheen bowled and the way Haris bowled up front, it was special,” Agha said.

“We are finding ways to win. There are ways to improve but we will be better in the final,” he added.

After walking out to bat at number six, with the scoreboard reading 33/4 in 8.1 overs, wicketkeeper batter Haris held Pakistan’s innings together with a sensible knock, which eventually culminated in the 18th over.

“He is a special player. He is not batting in his number. He never moaned. He said whatever the team needs, he will do it. He is contributing every single game and I am very happy,” Agha lauded Haris for his anchoring knock.

Although Pakistan successfully defended the 136-run target, their captain Agha rued that they were around 15 runs short. He, however, praised the bowling unit for creating pressure by bowling well, especially with the new ball.

“We were 10-15 runs short – no way I am going to deny that. If we bowl the way we did up front, we will create pressure,” Agha continued.

“When you create pressure up front, it is tough to chase it down. Bowled well with the new ball and once you bowl like this with the new ball, you win more often,” he added.

The Green Shirts were equally productive in the fielding department, with Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz taking sky-high catches with precision at crucial junctures of the low-scoring, and Agha termed it the outcome of their hard work and credited coach Shane McDermott.

“We have been fielding really well. Since Shane came, we have been working really hard. Mike, our coach said whoever cannot field, cannot be in the team – so everyone is working very hard with Shane and I am happy with how everyone is fielding,” said Agha.

Salman Ali Agha then went on to share his excitement for the blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rivals India, stating that they are aware of the requirements and will strive to win the summit clash.

“Very excited. 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.” Sports Desk