In a closely contested Super 4 encounter of the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 11 runs at the Dubai International Stadium, keeping their hopes alive in the tournament. The thrilling T20 clash saw both teams battling fiercely, but it was Pakistan’s disciplined bowling and timely contributions with the bat that proved decisive.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Bangladesh managed to restrict Pakistan to 135/8 in 20 overs. Mohammad Haris led the batting charge with a quickfire 31 off 23 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz added a valuable 25 off 15 deliveries, helping Pakistan post a competitive total. Shaheen Afridi chipped in with 19 runs to boost the innings.
Bangladesh’s bowlers were led by Taskin Ahmed, who took 3 wickets for 28 runs in 4 overs, and Rishad Hossain, who impressed with 2 wickets for 18 runs. Mahedi Hasan also contributed by picking up 2 crucial wickets.
Chasing 136, Bangladesh struggled to build partnerships and eventually fell short, finishing at 124/9 in 20 overs. Shamim Hossain top-scored with 30 off 25 balls, while Saif Hassan contributed 18 off 15 balls. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking 3 wickets each, effectively breaking crucial partnerships.
Rishad Hossain remained unbeaten with 16 off 11 balls*, but it wasn’t enough to chase down the target. Saim Ayub also played his part by taking 2 wickets for 16 runs.
Key Performers
- Shaheen Afridi (PAK): 3 wickets for 17 runs
- Haris Rauf (PAK): 3 wickets for 33 runs
- Taskin Ahmed (BAN): 3 wickets for 28 runs
- Mohammad Haris (PAK): 31 runs off 23 balls
What This Means
This win solidifies Pakistan’s position in the Super 4 standings and boosts their chances of reaching the Asia Cup 2025 final. Bangladesh, on the other hand, will need to regroup and perform in their upcoming matches to stay in contention.
The thrilling contest highlighted the intensity and unpredictability of T20 cricket, with both teams showcasing flashes of brilliance. Fans can expect more high-octane clashes as the tournament moves toward the knockout stages.
