Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan became the second team to make it to Asia Cup 2025 final after beating Bangladesh by 11 runs win in a perform-or-perish Super Four clash at the Dubai International stadium on September 25. This defeat ended Bangladesh's campaign in the ongoing tournament. Pakistan will now take on India in the title clash on September 28. This will be the first time India and Pakistan will lock horns with each other in the Asia Cup final since 1984.
Batting first Pakistan suffered a batting collapse and huffed and puffed to a total of 135/8, with Mohammad Haris being their top scorer (31). Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh with a bowling figures of 3/28. In reply, Bangladesh batters choked in the high-pressure match and were eventually bundled out for a paltry 124/9, thanks to Shaheen Afridi's fiery spell of 3/17.
Pakistan storm into Asia Cup final
The Bangladeshi bowlers dominated the Pakistani batting line-up, ultimately restricting the 'Men in Green' to a total of 135 for 8 in 20 overs. However, the innings saw a late resurgence; Bangladesh had Pakistan struggling at just 47 for 4 around the halfway mark before brisk cameos from Mohammad Haris (31 off 23) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15) provided acceleration at the death. Shaheen Afridi also smacked a couple of crucial sixes in his fiery 13-ball 19 to break the shackles, with Faheem Ashraf guiding Pakistan through the final two overs with an unbeaten 14.
For Bangladesh, new-ball paceman Taskin Ahmed was the star, picking up three wickets for 28 runs and, in the process, surpassing the 100-wicket threshold in T20 Internationals. He was well supported by Mahedi Hasan (2-28) and Rishad Hossain (2-18), who chipped in with two wickets each to halt Pakistan's momentum at various junctures of the game. Veteran bowler Mustafizur Rahman also contributed by removing Pakistan captain Agha Salman, whose sluggish knock of 19 off 23 balls failed to provide the necessary impetus.
In reply, Pakistan's pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi gave Bangladesh an early trouble, taking the crucial wickets of Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy within the powerplay overs. Bangladesh's troubles mounted when opening batter Saif Hassan failed to capitalize on his start, departing for 18 after his leading edge off Haris Rauf went straight to Saim Ayub at backward point.
The middle and slog overs saw Pakistan's spinners take control, with Mohammad Nawaz (1-14) and Saim Ayub (2-16) claiming three wickets between them to further derail Bangladesh’s resistance. Shaheen Afridi then added another wicket at the death to finish with impressive figures of 3-17. The final nail was hammered in by Haris Rauf, who removed Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Taskin Ahmed in the space of three deliveries before bowling a tight final over. This collective effort restricted Bangladesh to 124 for 9, securing an 11-run victory for Pakistan and confirming their spot in the grand finale.