Pakistan have secured their spot in the Asia Cup final against India after defending a modest total of 136 to beat Bangladesh by 11 runs in a tense Super Four encounter in Dubai. The result sets up the third face-off of the tournament between cricket’s fiercest rivals.
The match began poorly for Pakistan after being sent in to bat. Taskin Ahmed was on fire with the new ball, claiming 3-28, while Mahedi Hasan added 2-28. Their efforts reduced Pakistan to 5-2 inside the first 10 deliveries and later to 49-5 by the 11th over. It looked like Bangladesh was cruising towards a place in Sunday’s final.
However, Pakistan found some resistance in the middle and lower order, with Mohammad Haris playing a crucial knock of 31 from 23 balls, combining with Mohammad Nawaz (25) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (19) to drag Pakistan to a defendable score of 135-8. Haris struck boundaries under pressure, while Nawaz lifted the tempo with two sixes in his 15-ball stay. Shaheen’s quick-fire cameo of 19, though brief, gave Pakistan vital momentum in the closing overs.
For Bangladesh, Taskin was supported brilliantly by spinners Rishad Hossain (2-18) and Mahedi, who prevented Pakistan’s lower order from posting anything larger. Even so, the 136 they set would eventually prove enough.
In reply, Bangladesh’s top order stumbled just as Pakistan’s had. Shaheen Afridi struck early and finished with superb figures of 3-17, dismissing key batsmen and never letting the pressure ease. Haris Rauf chipped in with 3-33, including two wickets in three balls during the 18th over to crush Bangladesh’s hopes.
Shamim Hossain briefly revived the chase with a fighting 30 from 25 deliveries, but his dismissal in the 17th over triggered a collapse. Although there were some late hits from Rishad Hossain, Bangladesh finished on 124-9, falling 11 runs short of their target.
The loss ended Bangladesh’s hopes of reaching the Asia Cup final, leaving them and Sri Lanka eliminated from the tournament. Bangladesh remain without a men’s Asia Cup title, while Pakistan advanced to face India in what promises to be one of the most anticipated matches in recent memory.
Pakistan’s clash with India in the final will be their third meeting of the tournament. India won both previous encounters comfortably, once by seven wickets in the group stage and again by six wickets in the Super Fours. Yet both matches made more headlines for the animosity between the teams than for the cricket itself.
The players did not shake hands at the end of their first faceoff, with Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson claiming that India had refused. A similar incident was noted in their second encounter, where the captains declined to shake hands at the toss, followed by several heated moments on the field.
One notable turning point came during the Super Four clash when Indian opener Abhishek Sharma exchanged words with Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf, prompting the umpire to intervene, adding fuel to the fire ahead of Sunday’s final in Dubai.
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha remains optimistic, however. “We are very excited,” he said after the win over Bangladesh. “We know what we need to do, and we are a good enough team to beat anyone. We will come on Sunday and try to beat them.”
Sri Lanka, the defending champions, made their exit from the tournament after consecutive defeats to Bangladesh and Pakistan in the Super Four stage. Charith Asalanka’s side had earlier cruised through the group stage unbeaten, but their collapse in crucial moments left them playing only for pride against India in their final match.
India, already through to the final, may opt to rotate their squad. Still, their remarkable depth – bolstered by years of experience in the IPL – means even their second-string players pose a significant threat. With Chamika Karunaratne under scrutiny and Kusal Perera struggling for form, Sri Lanka is also expected to make changes. Youngster Janith Liyanage could be draughted in, while one of the pacers, either Binura Fernando or Matheesha Pathirana, may also get a chance. Despite being eliminated from the tournament, Sri Lanka has impressed with its sharp fielding.
Sunday’s Asia Cup final, which is to be held on Sunday, will not just be about the trophy but about pride, history, and the continuation of one of sport’s fiercest rivalries, with the pace being set for a high-voltage contest. Cricket fans around the world will have their eyes on Dubai as Pakistan and India battle it out once again for Asia’s crown.
