Asia Cup Super Four: Pakistan Defend 136 in Nail-Biting Finish

Pakistan secured their place in the Asia Cup 2025 Final with a gritty 11-run victory over Bangladesh in Dubai, setting the stage for a historic third encounter with arch-rivals India in the tournament decider.

Match Highlights

• Pakistan Innings: Collapsed to 49-5 before late fireworks from Mohammad Haris (31 off 23) and Shaheen Afridi (19 off 12)
• Bangladesh Bowling: Taskin Ahmed (3-28) and Mahedi Hasan (2-28) dominated powerplay
• Turning Point: Shaheen Shah Afridi's triple-wicket 17th over (3-17) broke Bangladesh's chase

Key Performances

Road to the Final

• India remains undefeated with 2 group stage wins over Pakistan
• Historic Tension: No post-match handshakes in previous encounters
• Last Meeting: Heated exchanges between Abhishek Sharma and Haris Rauf required umpire intervention

Expert Analysis

"Pakistan's lower-order resilience won this game," noted BBC's Elizabeth Botcherby. "Shaheen's all-round performance under pressure shows why he's ranked among T20 cricket's most valuable assets."

Final Preview: What to Expect

• Venue: Dubai International Stadium (Capacity: 25,000)
• Weather: 38°C forecast with 65% humidity
• Key Battle: Virat Kohli vs Shaheen's opening spell
• History: Pakistan seeks first Asia Cup title since 2012; India defends 2023 crown

Stat Alert: This will mark the 7th India-Pakistan Asia Cup Final since 1984, with India holding 4-2 advantage in previous deciders.