Pakistan secures Asia Cup final spot against India with 11-run win over Bangladesh | The Express Tribune

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 for nine in their 20 overs. This victory marks the first time Pakistan will face India in the Asia Cup final.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was named Player of the Match for his spectacular bowling performance and his contribution of 19 runs to Pakistan’s total. “I want to dedicate this award to my beautiful wife and son,” he said 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.

Captain Salman Ali Agha praised his team’s collective effort, acknowledging coach Mike Hesson and fielding coach Shane McDermott for their support. He also commended Shaheen and Haris for their outstanding contributions and expressed his delight at reaching the final.

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.

Pakistan’s batting struggles yet again

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.

Pakistan’s captain Salman Agha takes a run as wicketkeeper/captain Jaker Ali fields the ball during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Twenty20 international match at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai on September 25, 2025. PHOTO: AFP

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 for nine, with Haris 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.

Pakistan’s nightmare innings ended at 135/8

Earlier, Pakistan’s batting line-up struggled, particularly in the early stages. They were at 47 for four at the end of 10 overs and couldn’t build any meaningful partnerships. Fakhar Zaman and Hussain Talat both fell to Rishad Hossain, with the Men in Green staring down a challenging total.

The Greenshirts 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 for four.

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 for five 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 13.4 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 for seven. 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 big-hitter Muhammad 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.

Bangladesh opted to bowl first as they face Pakistan

Bangladesh won the toss and they are putting Pakistan to bat first on a pitch that is touted to favour the seamers.

Pakistan are the weakest side among the major teams in Asia Cup 2025 when it comes to facing spinners,while Bangladesh is not great against pace attack.

The match is a virtual semifinal for the invigorated Pakistan, who defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets on September 23 and now aim to book their place in the final.

Meanwhile, a young Bangladesh team is coming into this match on the back of a defeat by India on Wednesday, September 24.

In that game, India defeated the young team by 41 runs.

Bangladesh is not even playing with their regular captain Litton Das, and have wicketkeeper Jaker Ali to fill his shoes. Ali is leading the team for the second time ever, compared to Pakistan’s Salman Ali Agha, who will have an edge with more experience.

They have made three changes, looking for batting depth.

This is the last Super Four match for both Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The top two teams from the Super Four stage will play the final.

Bangladesh were victorious in two of their last three T20Is against Pakistan, which included a home series win earlier this year.

Bangladesh XI: Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali (capt & wk), Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman

Pakistan XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

What’s at stake for Pakistan?

If Pakistan wins their match against Bangladesh, they will set up the first-ever India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final.

The controversy of the handshake with India in their group match is still making rounds due to the hawkish political atmosphere between the two neighbouring countries.

Former captain Younis Khan feels there is an opportunity for the team to prove a point, and that is by winning.

“Pakistan was not up to the mark in the two matches, but a final against India will pump our players because it will be a title-deciding match,” Younis told the media.

“Win the final and then offer a handshake to Indian players.”