Bangladesh falls apart as Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Harris Rauf take three wickets each in Dubai’s Super Four match.
Pakistan held its blockbuster Asian Cup 2025 final against India after beating Bangladesh by 11 runs in a thrilling Super Force match in Dubai.
Bangladeshi batting drastically collapsed before Pakistan’s pace bowling attack after chasing 136 to win the winner’s match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
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After Pakistan posted just 135-8 in 20 overs and then grabbed the field, Afridi picked up two wickets in the first two overs and finished with a 3-17 match figure in the fourth overs, putting on an authoritative display of fast bowling.
fellow pacer Harris Rauv contributed to his own three wickets, two of which concluded the Bangladeshi innings, while part-time left-arm slow bowler Saim Ayub bowled a tidy spell from four overs 2-16.
Bangladeshi opener Saif Hasan (18) formed a brief partnership with Mahedi Hasan (11) and Nurul Hasan (16), but none of the batting stands lasted long enough to see the team.
Some slow resistance by lower-center batter Shamim Hossein (30) temporarily raised hopes for Bangladeshi fans, but it was revealed that Pakistan would close the victory after Shamim became Afridi’s third casualty on the 17th.
A great outing on the ball and field, Richad Hossain hit two fours and sixes in 16 innings, but continued to lose his batting partner as Bangladesh’s innings approached a 124-9 ending in 20 overs.
Previously, when Pakistan was sent to the bat by Bangladeshi’s substitute captain Jakaa Ali, the decision paid off almost instantly as the Pakistani opener struggled to score a run.
Taskin Ahmed’s disciplined opening spell led to the firing of Sahibzda Fahan in the fourth ball of Pakistan’s innings.
Fakhar Zaman (13) and Captain Salman Agha (19) formed a short partnership but were unable to hit a single six.
Having made two catches before coming to the bowl, Richard rejected Zaman in the seventh time and sent back Hussein Tarat in the ninth. Aga fell to Mustafizur Rahman between the two Richad wickets as Pakistan reduced to 49-5.
Low orders from Mohammad Harris (17-31), Muhammad Nawaz (15-25) and Afridi (13-19) took Pakistan to 135-8 on the tricky Dubai pitch.
Afridi was selected as a player in his all-round hero match.
Pakistan will be particularly pleased to see their best pace bowlers return to wicket take form before the final against Bitter Rivals India on Sunday.
South Asian neighbors have already met twice in the tournament, and India recorded a banging victory on either occasion.
Sunday’s match was also held in Dubai, marking the first India-Pakistan clash in the Asian Cup final since the start of the 1984 tournament.
Tensions have risen, and political standoffs have spilled on cricket field in both the previous two meetings between the teams this month.
Fans can expect another politically charged match, especially with the trophies on the line.
Pakistan hopes that it will be the third lucky case while India is trying to complete a 3-0 drive in the tournament.
