In a virtual semifinal in the Asia Cup Super Fours in Dubai, Pakistan edged past Bangladesh in a tense low-scoring contest on Thursday to set up a third clash with India in the competition. On a humid evening, Bangladesh bowlers once again impressed, but Pakistan’s lower order ensured they finished with a competitive 135 for eight from 20 overs. That total, though modest, proved sufficient on a surface where batting was never easy. Pakistan ended up securing a 11-run victory, and with that, another clash with rivals India. This also marks the first-ever meeting between the two teams in the final of the competition. In the last 16 editions of the Asia Cup, the two teams hadn’t met in the summit clash.Taskin Ahmed gave Bangladesh the early breakthrough, removing Sahibzada Farhan for four. Saim Ayub fell soon after for a duck, while Fakhar Zaman (13), Hussain Talat (3) and captain Salman Ali Agha (19) also departed cheaply, leaving Pakistan reeling at 49 for five. Mohammad Haris offered some resistance with a quick 31 off 23 balls before being dismissed by Mahedi Hasan. From there, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 19 and Mohammad Nawaz’s lively 25 off 15 balls gave Pakistan much-needed momentum. Faheem Ashraf’s unbeaten 14 at the back end took them past 130. For Bangladesh, Taskin was the main man of the attack with 3 for 28, while spinner Rishad Hossain (2/18) and Mahedi Hasan (2/28) exploited the conditions well. Mustafizur Rahman also chipped in with one wicket. In reply, Bangladesh never really settled into their chase. Early strikes by Shaheen Afridi put them under pressure, dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy inside the powerplay. Nurul Hasan managed 16 before falling to Saim Ayub, while captain Jaker Ali (5) also fell cheaply. Shamim Hossain’s 30 gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope, but with the required rate climbing, Pakistan’s bowlers closed out the contest. The flurry of wickets from Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf, where he dismissed both Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Taskin Ahmed in the 18th over left Bangladesh on the brink. In his final over, which was also the last of the match, he conceded 11 runs, but had enough runs to spare to ensure victory.
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With this result, Pakistan confirmed their spot in the final, where they will meet India once again in what promises to be another tense clash in Dubai. With controversy surrounding the India-Pakistan clash and the stakes higher than ever, Sunday’s clash will be the perfect finale for Asia Cup 2025.
