It was a basic case of the event getting the higher of Bangladesh as it fluffed a 136-run chase on the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday (September 25, 2025), setting up the first-ever Asia Cup final between archrivals Pakistan and India.
With 39 runs wanted off 20 balls, Bangladesh’s hopes have been driving on Shamim Hossain. But when the left-hander reverse-scooped a back-of-the-hand slower supply from Shaheen Shah Afridi behind level, the Tigers’ problem was all however over.
Afridi was hostile within the PowerPlay and accounted for Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy. Haris Rauf, bowling with searing tempo, drew a deadly forefront to take away key batter, Saif Hassan, and Bangladesh performed catch-up since.
Bangladesh’s brittle middle-order was tentative towards the spinners, with the batters entering into place too early, and Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub cashed in by selecting three wickets between them.
Earlier, Pakistan’s lower-order was left to choose up the items. The 38-run seventh-wicket stand between Mohammad Haris and Nawaz was the most important of the innings, whereas Afridi’s 13-ball 19 was probably the most entertaining knock.
Promoted to No. 7, Afridi flirted with hazard earlier than breaking free with two humongous sixes on the leg aspect. After being dropped twice, it took wicketkeeper Jaker Ali’s spirited dash to midwicket to place an finish to Afridi’s adventurism.
Rishad was throughout Pakistan like a rash and was concerned in the entire first 4 wickets it misplaced. He caught Sahibzada Farhan’s and Fakhar Zaman at backward level and long-off, respectively, earlier than dismissing Saim and Hussain Talat.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha was assured towards the spinners, however a cutter from left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman was his undoing, leaving Pakistan reeling at 49 for 5. From there, Agha’s males turned issues round to clinch an 11-run win.
The scores: Pakistan 135/8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Haris 31, Mohammad Nawaz 25, Taskin Ahmed 3/28) beat Bangladesh 124/9 in 20 overs (Shamim Hossain 30, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3/17, Haris Rauf 3/33). Toss: Bangladesh.
