The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown as Pakistan and Bangladesh prepare to lock horns in a virtual semi-final at the Asia Cup 2025. Cricket fans across the subcontinent and beyond are glued to their screens, with the winner of this pivotal Super Fours clash in Dubai earning a coveted spot in the final against defending champions India. With both sides sitting on two points apiece, and only one ticket left for the summit, anticipation is reaching fever pitch.
India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, have already punched their ticket to the final after a clinical 41-run victory over Bangladesh on September 24 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Abhishek Sharma, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, was again in sublime form, smashing a blistering 75 from just 37 balls. His aggressive knock, peppered with six fours and five sixes, laid the foundation for India’s total of 168 for 6 in 20 overs. Hardik Pandya chipped in with a steady 38, helping India set a formidable target.
Bangladesh’s bowlers struggled to contain the Indian onslaught, with only Saif Hassan managing to keep things tight in his brief two-over spell. The Tigers did show some fight with the bat, as opener Saif Hassan led the response with a gutsy 69 off 51 balls, including five towering sixes. But the rest of the batting lineup faltered under pressure, with only Parvez Hossain Emon (21) reaching double digits. India’s spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (3 for 18) and Varun Chakravarthy (2 for 29) spun a web around the Bangladeshi batters, while Jasprit Bumrah’s early strikes (2 for 18) set the tone for a disciplined bowling effort. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 127 in 19.3 overs, sealing India’s spot at the top of the Super Fours table with an unbeaten record and four points.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, saw their campaign end with two straight losses in the Super Fours, making their upcoming clash with India a dead rubber. Their elimination has cleared the path for a winner-takes-all contest between Pakistan and Bangladesh, scheduled for September 25 at the same Dubai venue.
For Pakistan, the journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. The Salman Ali Agha-led side survived a tense encounter against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, clinching a five-wicket win to keep their hopes alive. All-rounder Hussain Talat, whose selection had been questioned by some, silenced critics by bagging two wickets and contributing a vital 32 runs. Shaheen Shah Afridi, the team’s fiery pace spearhead, was in vintage form, claiming 3 for 28 and later declaring, “We are here to win the cup, whichever team comes in the final, we are ready to beat them.” His bullish confidence has buoyed Pakistan’s supporters, who are eager to see their team break new ground.
It’s worth noting that, despite their storied rivalry, India and Pakistan have never met in an Asia Cup final. India have dominated recent encounters, winning both group-stage matches in this edition and boasting a 12-3 record in T20Is against Pakistan. Since September 2022, India have triumphed in all seven internationals between the two sides, spanning both T20 and one-day formats. Suryakumar Yadav, India’s captain, didn’t mince words when he quipped, “India-Pakistan is not a rivalry any more.” Shaheen Afridi, however, brushed off the comment, responding, “It is his opinion that. Let him say that. Our job is to win the Asia Cup, and we will make a complete effort to do that.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both Pakistan and Bangladesh. The Super Fours points table reveals just how tight the race is: India sit comfortably atop with four points and a net run rate of +1.357. Pakistan and Bangladesh are level on two points, but Pakistan hold a slight edge with a net run rate of +0.226 compared to Bangladesh’s -0.969. That means a win for either side guarantees a place in the final, while a loss spells elimination.
Bangladesh’s recent form against Pakistan offers a glimmer of hope for their fans. While Pakistan have dominated the historical head-to-head, winning 20 out of 25 T20 clashes, Bangladesh stunned their rivals in July 2025 by taking the first two games of a three-match T20I series at home. They secured victories by 7 wickets and 8 runs, before Pakistan bounced back to claim the third match by a massive 74-run margin. Earlier in the summer, Pakistan had swept Bangladesh 3-0 in a T20I series in Lahore, with Muhammad Haris starring as the batting lynchpin, amassing 179 runs at a staggering strike rate of 201.12.
Haris remains a key figure for Pakistan in this Asia Cup, having scored 100 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 136.98. His ability to accelerate in the middle overs could prove decisive against a Bangladesh attack that has shown both brilliance and vulnerability in equal measure. For Bangladesh, Saif Hassan’s consistency at the top of the order and the leadership of stand-in skipper Jaker Ali will be crucial. Jaker, reflecting on the challenge ahead, remarked after the India defeat, “It's quite surprising, but I take the preparation. All the credit goes to the boys, after ten overs they adjusted brilliantly. We can take lots of things from this game, we have another game tomorrow. We have to keep in mind that we can win tomorrow and play the final. Let's see what kind of combination we are going to go but we will give our best.”
Team news suggests Pakistan will stick with the same XI that triumphed over Sri Lanka: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed. Bangladesh are expected to field the same side that pushed India, featuring Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Litton Das (captain, wicketkeeper), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Mahedi Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Mustafizur Rehman.
Fans eager to catch every moment can tune in to the SonyLIV app, OTTplay app, or the Sony Sports Network, with the match kicking off at 8 PM India time. As the 17th edition of the Asia Cup unfolds in the UAE under the T20 format, cricket’s oldest regional rivalry is about to write a new chapter. Will Pakistan seize the moment and set up a dream final against India, or can Bangladesh script another upset and reach the summit clash for the first time since 2018?
With both teams hungry for glory and a spot in the final on the line, one thing is certain: Dubai is in for an electrifying evening of cricket. The action is ongoing, and all eyes are on the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to see which team will rise to the occasion and join India in Sunday’s showpiece.
