 "The high-stakes clash between Bangladesh and Pakistan sets up yet another blockbuster encounter between the India and Pakistan. Image: AP")
Pakistan set up a third match against arch-rivals India in the Asia Cup 2025 as they qualified for the Sunday (28 September) summit clash by beating Bangladesh in a low-score thriller on Thursday. In a virtual semi-final, Pakistan emerged victorious by 11 runs after Bangladesh faltered in the 136-run chase after a tense chase.
“We are ready,” declared Player of the Match Shaheen Shah Afridi when asked about the India vs Pakistan final during the post-match presentation ceremony. While Afridi took three wickets, including two in the powerplay, and smashed a quick-fire 19 in a match-winning all-round performance, India have won both the matches so far against Pakistan in the tournament.
IND vs PAK final for first time in Asia Cup
Suryakumar Yadav and Co won the group stage match by seven wickets and the Super 4 contest vs Pakistan by six wickets. Comprehensive wins on both occasions, but Pakistan will be looking to be third time lucky in what will be the first Asia Cup final between the two nations in the 41-year history of the tournament.
“We are a good enough team to beat anyone,” Pakistan skipper Salman said after escaping narrowly against Bangladesh. However, one mustn’t forget that India have won the last seven matches against Pakistan since 2022.
How PAK defeated BAN in virtual semis
Coming to the Pakistan vs Bangladesh match.
Pakistan batted first after losing the toss against Bangladesh, who were playing their second match in less than 24 hours in Dubai. Yet, it was Men In Green who made a disastrous start, being restricted to 49/5 at one stage and later to 71/6 before Mohammad Haris (31 off 23 balls) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15 balls) added 38 runs for the seventh wicket partnership to help Pakistan reach a respectable 135/8.
Taskin Ahmed with three wickets, and Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain with two each, were the pick of the Bangla bowlers.
In reply, Bangladesh’s chase was crippled by amateurish mistakes as batters kept going back to the dugout with unnecessary aggression when only 136 was needed for a win.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsNo 6 Shamim Hossain was the top run-getter with 30 from 25 balls, while the second-highest run-getter was Saif Hassan with just 18. Eventually, Bangladesh were restricted to 124/9 as Rauf also took three wickets.