Pakistan edge Bangladesh to set up first Asia Cup final against India

Pakistan secured an 11-run victory over Bangladesh in a must-win Super Fours clash of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 on Thursday, setting up a final against India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Defending a modest target of 136, Pakistan restricted Bangladesh to 124/9 in 20 overs, with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf leading the bowling attack with three wickets each. Saim Ayub claimed two scalps, while Mohammad Nawaz added one. Shamim Hossain top-scored for Bangladesh with 30 off 25 balls.

Bangladesh’s run chase faltered early, losing Parvez Hossain Emon for a duck in the opening over before slipping to 29/3 inside six overs.

Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals despite Shamim’s resistance, and Rauf’s twin strikes in the 18th over effectively sealed the result.

Earlier, Pakistan posted 135/8 after being put in to bat by Bangladesh stand-in captain Jaker Ali. Taskin Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers with 3/28, while Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain took two each.

Pakistan’s batting effort was led by wicketkeeper-batter Haris (31 off 23) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15), who shared a brisk 38-run stand for the seventh wicket. Shaheen Afridi contributed a quick 19 off 13 balls lower down the order.