Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Friday, 26 September 2025 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
DUBAI: Pakistan held their nerve to pull off a 11-run win against Bangladesh in a Super Fours match to qualify to meet India in the Asia Cup final for the first time in 17 editions, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
India and Pakistan will meet in the final on Sunday at Dubai.
The previous lowest T20I score defended successfully by Pakistan against Bangladesh was 135, and they did it again in a virtual semi-final, restricting them to 124-9. Shaheen Afridi set the tone with Parvaz Hossain’s wicket, and then followed it up with that of Towhid Hridoy. Bangladesh batters came and went as they looked for the release shot, but only Shamim Hossain (30 off 25 balls, 2 sixes) looked in control and was the dangerman for Pakistan. But Afridi came back and got him out with a back of the hand slower ball to finish with 3/17. Haris Rauf looked like he had done his ankle, but after receiving treatment from the physio, got up and took two wickets in the same over to all but end the game.
Pakistan put up a fighting total after being put into bat – 135-8, but it was still a touch under par. Bangladesh struck early, removing the in-form Sahibzada Farhan and a struggling Saim Ayub in no time. Fakhar Zaman scratched around before falling, and Hussain Talat could not make an impact either. Rishad Hossain was everywhere in the first half of the innings, as he took two wickets and two catches to leave Pakistan reeling at 49-5. At that stage, they were in deep trouble, but Shaheen Afridi came out swinging, clearing the ropes twice to lift the momentum. His cameo was backed up by Mohammad Haris (31 off 23 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes), who chipped in with useful runs to push the score forward.
For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed led the way with three wickets, which included his 100th in T20Is, while Rishad and Mahedi Hasan bagged two apiece. Pakistan’s total would have been still smaller had Bangladesh not missed a few chances. – [ST]
Scores:
Pakistan 135-8 (20) (Mohammad Haris 31, Mohammad Nawaz 25, Taskin Ahmed 3/28, Mahedi Hasan 2/28, Rishad Hossain 2/18)
Bangladesh 124-9 (20) (Shamim Hossain 30, Shaheen Afridi 3/17, Haris Rauf 3/33, Saim Ayub 2/16)
