DUBAI – Pakistan secured a nail-biting 11-run victory over Bangladesh in their must-win Super Four clash of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, setting up a blockbuster final against arch-rivals India.
Defending a modest 136-run total, Pakistan’s pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf delivered under pressure, bagging three wickets apiece to script a thrilling finish. Bangladesh, despite a fighting effort from Shamim Hossain (30 off 25 balls), could only manage 124/9 in their 20 overs.
Bangladesh’s chase faltered early when Shaheen removed Parvez Hossain Emon for a duck in the opening over. Towhid Hridoy (5) and Saif Hassan (18) soon followed, reducing the side to 29/3 inside the Powerplay. Wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan (16) and Mahedi Hasan (11) attempted to rebuild, but both perished before the halfway mark. Shamim Hossain then kept his side in the contest with a gutsy knock, striking two sixes, but his dismissal to Shaheen in the 17th over proved decisive. Haris Rauf’s double strike shortly after sealed Pakistan’s dramatic win.
Earlier, Pakistan’s batting lineup stumbled after being sent in by Bangladesh’s stand-in captain Jaker Ali. The innings started disastrously, slipping to 5/2 within two overs. Fakhar Zaman (13) and skipper Salman Ali Agha (19) attempted to stabilize, but Rishad Hossain’s double strike left Pakistan reeling at 33/4.
The recovery came through Mohammad Haris (31 off 23) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15), who added a brisk 38-run stand for the seventh wicket. Shaheen Afridi, promoted to No.7, also chipped in with a quickfire 19, including two towering sixes. Pakistan eventually posted 135/8 in their 20 overs.
For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3/28, while Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain grabbed two wickets each. The thrilling victory not only kept Pakistan alive but propelled them into the Asia Cup 2025 final against India – marking the first-ever Pakistan-India title clash in the tournament’s history.
Scores in Brief
PAKISTAN 135/8 in 20 overs (M Haris 31, M Nawaz 25; Taskin Ahmed 3/28, Mahedi Hasan 2/28, Rishad Hossain 2/18) beat BANGLADESH 124/9 in 20 overs (Shamim Hossain 30, Saif Hassan 18; Shaheen Afridi 3/17, Haris Rauf 3/33) by 11 runs.
