Pakistan beat Bangladesh, face India in Asia Cup final

Dubai – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 11 runs on Thursday in a must-win Super Fours clash to secure a place in the Asia Cup 2025 final, where they will face arch-rivals India.

Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf starred with the ball, taking three wickets each, as Pakistan successfully defended a modest 136-run target at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The thrilling win ensured Pakistan’s first-ever Asia Cup final against India, adding historic weight to the much-anticipated contest.

Chasing 136, Bangladesh managed only 124/9 in their 20 overs, despite a fighting 30 runs from Shamim Hossain. Bangladesh’s innings began poorly when Shaheen dismissed Parvez Hossain Emon for a duck in the first over. Saif Hassan (18) and Towhid Hridoy (5) tried to recover, but both fell quickly, leaving Bangladesh at 29/3 within 5.1 overs.

Mahedi Hasan (11) and Nurul Hasan added a small 15-run stand before Mohammad Nawaz struck in the eighth over. Shamim Hossain then kept Bangladesh in the chase with a brave knock of 30 off 25 balls, including two boundaries. However, his dismissal in the 17th over by Shaheen ended Bangladesh’s hopes. Haris Rauf later picked up two wickets in quick succession, sealing the game as Bangladesh stumbled to 101/9.

For Pakistan, Shaheen and Haris both claimed three wickets, Saim Ayub picked up two, and Nawaz added one. Bangladesh’s bowlers also impressed earlier in the match after their stand-in captain Jaker Ali chose to field first. Pakistan were restricted to 135/8, with Taskin Ahmed leading the charge with three wickets for 28 runs. Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain bagged two wickets each, while Mustafizur Rahman picked up one.

Pakistan’s batting struggled early as openers Sahibzada Farhan (4) and Saim Ayub (0) fell within the first two overs. Fakhar Zaman and captain Salman Ali Agha added some stability, but Fakhar’s dismissal left Pakistan at 29/3. Rishad Hossain’s double strike soon reduced them further to 33/4. Agha (19) tried to steady things with Haris, but Mustafizur dismissed him in the 11th over, leaving Pakistan reeling at 49/5.

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Shaheen Shah Afridi was promoted to number seven and played a quick cameo of 19 off 13 balls, including two sixes. Pakistan’s key stand came between Haris and Nawaz, who added 38 runs for the seventh wicket. Haris top-scored with 31 off 23 balls, hitting three fours and a six, while Nawaz contributed 25 off 15 with two sixes and a four. Their efforts pushe