Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 11 runs in the low-scoring Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s match in Dubai on Thursday, September 25, to book a place in the final, where they will now take on India. The first-ever India-Pakistan Asia Cup final in 41 years is scheduled to take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 28.
Suryakumar Yadav’s men had booked their place in the final on Wednesday, September 24, by securing a 41-run win over Bangladesh in Dubai.
The Super 4s match between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday was a must-win game for both the teams, but despite posting a total of 135/8 in 20 overs, Pakistan successfully managed to get the better of the Jaker Ali-led side.
Shaheen Shah Afridi stepped up when Pakistan needed him most. He was the enforcer-in-chief with the ball and the saviour with the bat. His 19 off 13 deliveries lifted Pakistan out of the doldrums after they had slumped to 49 for 5 in the 11th over. Shaheen’s two towering sixes injected some much-needed spark into the innings and set the tone for late cameos from Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Nawaz.
With the ball, Shaheen struck twice in the powerplay and set the tone with an impeccable three-over spell up front, conceding just 11 runs. He finished with superb figures of 3 for 17 in four overs, rounding off his effort with the crucial dismissal of Shamim Hossain – the only Bangladesh batter to cross 20 – with a cleverly disguised slower delivery.
Fittingly, Shaheen was named Player of the Match. Having been guilty of over-pitching in search of swing in previous games, the left-arm pacer adjusted his length, consistently hitting the good-length area and extracting more from the Dubai surface, which offered assistance to both seamers and spinners.
India have defeated Pakistan two times in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, and on Sunday, September 28, Surya’s men would like to complete the hat-trick, whereas Pakistan will look to take revenge in the match that matters the most.
