Pakistan beat odds to book Asia Cup 2025 title clash with arch-rivals India

DUBAI: Pakistan stormed into the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 final with a thrilling victory in the high-stakes Pak vs Ban Super Four clash, where Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf’s three-wicket hauls, supported by clinical spin, proved too hot for Bangladesh to handle. The result has set up a blockbuster showdown against arch-rivals India — the first-ever Pakistan vs India final in the tournament’s history.

Chasing 136, Bangladesh faltered under pressure and could only muster 124-9 in their 20 overs, handing Pakistan an 11-run win in the pulsating Pak vs Ban encounter. The contest was tense from the outset, with both teams losing wickets at regular intervals and the game hanging in the balance until the final overs.

Shaheen Afridi set the tone early in the Pak vs Ban clash, removing Parvez Hossain Emon for a duck in the very first over. He struck again soon after, sending back Towhid Hridoy for just five. The Tigers’ hopes of a recovery were further dented in the fifth over when Saif Hassan, who had been impressive against India, was dismissed for 18 off 15 balls. At 29-3 in 5.1 overs, Bangladesh were firmly on the back foot.

Once the pacers had done the early damage, Pakistan’s spinners tightened their grip on the middle overs, never allowing Bangladesh’s batting to find momentum. Shamim Hossain emerged as the lone fighter for the Tigers, scoring 30 off 25 with two boundaries, but his dismissal in the 17th over sealed their fate.

In the end, the Pak vs Ban showdown showcased Pakistan’s all-round bowling strength. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf shared six wickets between them, while Saim Ayub chipped in with two crucial strikes. Bangladesh’s chase lost steam at critical moments, and Pakistan held their nerve to close out an 11-run victory.

With this win in the Pak vs Ban clash, Pakistan have booked their place in Sunday’s Asia Cup 2025 final against India, promising a historic showdown that has fans on both sides of the border buzzing with anticipation.

Earlier, the Tigers produced a fiery bowling display to dismantle the Men in Green’s batting order and restrict them to a modest 135-8 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

In the highly-anticipated Pak vs Ban contest, Pakistan were put into bat first, but their innings never really got going under the lights. Bangladesh’s fast bowler Taskin Ahmed, returning to the playing XI, set the tone early by dismissing the in-form Sahibzada Farhan for just four, caught in the covers.

With the crowd roaring, Bangladesh tightened the screws further as Saim Ayub’s horror run continued in the very next over. The young left-hander, already under pressure, departed without scoring — his fourth duck in the Asia Cup 2025 — leaving Pakistan reeling at 5-2 in 1.4 overs.

At that point in the Pak vs Ban clash, Fakhar Zaman and skipper Salman Ali Agha tried to stabilize the innings. The pair added a brief 24-run partnership, but Bangladesh never allowed them to settle. Fakhar’s dismissal, caught off Tanzim Hasan Shakib, sparked a mini-collapse that put Pakistan firmly on the back foot.

By the end of the power play, Pakistan had stumbled to just 29 runs, and wickets kept tumbling. Hussain Talat fell cheaply for three, while Salman Ali Agha managed 19 off 23 balls before becoming another victim of disciplined bowling.

Pakistan’s lower order tried to fight back, with Shaheen Shah Afridi promoted up the order. He smashed two sixes in a quickfire 19 off 13 balls, but Bangladesh’s bowlers remained relentless. Only Mohammad Haris stood tall, top-scoring with 31 off 23 balls, including two fours and a six.

Despite some sloppy fielding from Bangladesh that allowed Shaheen and Haris to add vital runs, Pakistan could only limp to 135-8 in their 20 overs.

For Bangladesh, it was a collective bowling effort in the crucial Pak vs Ban encounter, but Taskin Ahmed emerged as the standout performer, claiming three wickets in his four-over spell.

With Pakistan restricted to a below-par score, Bangladesh walked off the field with momentum firmly on their side, leaving the Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash delicately poised.

Pak vs Ban Playing XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.

Bangladesh: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Saif Uddin.

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