Pakistan stormed in the final of Asia Cup 2025 after an 11-run victory over Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday. The result has set up a delicious collision against India on Sunday, the first time that both parties will meet in an Asia Cup final.
Pakistan is struggling with the bat
Bangladesh Bowlers kept Pakistan under control and limited them to 135 for 8 out of 20 overs. At a certain stage, Pakistan staggered 47 to 4 for 4, before Mohammad Haris (31 from 23) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 out of 15) made much needed runs in the middle of the middle.
Shaheen Afridi played a fast cameo of 19 out of 13 balls, in which two sixes hit, while Faheem Ashraf 14 did not add to push Pakistan on a fighting total.
For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed was the choice of bowlers with 3 to 28 and reached 100 T20i Wickets in the process. Mahedi Hasan (2 for 28) and Rishad Hossain (2 for 18) also struck at important moments.
Shaheen and Rauf seal the game
Shaheen Afridi defended a modest target and gave Pakistan the perfect start. He fired Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy in the Powerplay, leaving Bangladesh on the back foot. Haris Rauf then participated and sent Saif Hassan back for 18 with a sharp delivery.
Bangladesh regularly continued to lose wickets. Spinners Mohammad Nawaz (1 to 14) and Saim Ayub (2 for 16) kept things tight in the middle of the middle.
Shaheen ended with 3 to 17, while Rauf destroyed the lower order of Bangladesh by removing Tanzim Hasan Sakib and Taskin Ahmed in the same. He left his nerve in the last to end with 3 wickets.
Bangladesh was only able to manage 124 for 9, fell with 11 runs. With this victory, Pakistan is now confronted with arch-rivals India in a historic Asia cup final that promises a high drama and intensity.
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