Pakistan’s pace power prevailed in Dubai on Thursday night, as Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf shared six wickets to seal a tense 11-run win over Bangladesh in the Super Fours of the Asia Cup. The result booked Pakistan’s place in Sunday’s final against India — the first time in the tournament’s 17 editions that the archrivals will meet in a title clash.
Afridi was adjudged Player of the Match for his devastating new-ball spell, returning 3-17, while Rauf’s late strikes wrapped up Bangladesh’s reply at 124/9 in 20 overs, chasing 136.
I want to dedicate this award to my beautiful wife and son. In a small total, you need early breakthroughs, and we planned that. Three overs in the powerplay — that is the difference.
Bangladesh Batting Crumbles Under Pressure
Bangladesh’s chase unravelled almost from the start. Parvez Emon fell for a duck to Afridi in the opening over, before Towhid Hridoy and Saif Hassan also departed inside the Powerplay. Shamim Hossain (30) briefly resisted but his attempted reverse-lap against Afridi only triggered another collapse. From there, Rauf (3-33) took over, rattling Bangladesh’s lower order despite cramping up during his spell. Though Rishad Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman threw their bats around late, it was too little, too late.
I was working on this delivery, and it’s good that I delivered. We needed that breakthrough, and we did it.
Taskin Keeps Pakistan in Check
Earlier, Pakistan were restricted to 135/8 after Taskin Ahmed (3-28) led a disciplined Bangladesh bowling effort. Rishad Hossain (2-18) and Mustafizur Rahman also kept the brakes on.
Only Mohammad Haris (31) and Mohammad Nawaz (25) offered meaningful resistance, as Pakistan stuttered after a poor start. Taskin removed Sahibzada Farhan early, while Fakhar Zaman and captain Salman Ali Agha fell trying to force the pace.
We were 10–15 runs short, no way I am going to deny that. But the way Shaheen and Haris bowled up front was special. If you can win these kinds of games, you must be a special team.
Bangladesh Rue Another Batting Failure
Despite restricting Pakistan to a modest total, Bangladesh could not make their advantage count. Miscommunication, poor shot selection and a lack of intent against spin proved costly.
As a batting unit, in the last two matches we have lost it. As a bowling unit, we did very good work, but batting cost us the match today as well.
India-Pakistan Blockbuster Awaits
The victory means Sunday will deliver a historic Asia Cup final, with India and Pakistan set to square off for the title in Dubai.
We are finding ways to win. There are ways to improve, but we will be better in the final.
The cricket world now braces for a showdown between two fiercest rivals, with continental glory — and bragging rights — on the line.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 135/8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Haris 31, Mohammad Nawaz 25; Taskin Ahmed 3-28, Rishad Hossain 2-18) Bangladesh 124/9 in 20 overs (Shamim Hossain 30, Saif Hassan 18; Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-17, Haris Rauf 3-33) Result: Pakistan won by 11 runs.
