The cricketing world is abuzz as the Asia Cup 2025 prepares to serve up a historic India vs Pakistan final, the first such summit clash in the tournament’s 17-edition history. On Thursday, Pakistan clinched a nail-biting 11-run victory over Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi, booking their ticket to the much-anticipated final against their archrivals. This result capped off a dramatic Super Four stage, marked by upsets, comebacks, and plenty of tension both on and off the field.
The stage was set for a virtual knockout, with both Pakistan and Bangladesh knowing only a win would suffice for a place in the final. Bangladesh, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, immediately put Pakistan on the back foot. Taskin Ahmed, returning to the lineup, was on fire, removing opener Sahibzada Farhan with just the fourth ball of the match. The wickets kept tumbling, with Saim Ayub falling for his fourth duck of the tournament—an unwanted record that speaks to his struggles this campaign. When Fakhar Zaman and captain Salman Agha departed, Pakistan were reeling at 49 for 5.
But cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties, and Pakistan’s lower order was determined not to go quietly. Mohammad Haris played a crucial hand, scoring 31 off 23 balls, while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a rapid 25. Then came the cameo that swung the momentum—Shaheen Shah Afridi, dropped three times by the Bangladesh fielders, smashed two sixes in a breezy 19 off 13 balls. Thanks to these late bursts and some missed opportunities by Bangladesh in the field, Pakistan managed to post a fighting total of 135 for 8 in their 20 overs.
Bangladesh’s bowlers, especially Taskin Ahmed (3 for 28), Rishad Hossain (2 for 18), and Mahedi Hasan (2 for 28), had done the hard work up front. Yet, the fielding lapses would come back to haunt them. As the innings ended, most observers felt Bangladesh had the upper hand, needing just 136 to win and secure a final berth.
The chase, however, was anything but straightforward. Shaheen Afridi, fresh from his exploits with the bat, struck in the very first over, removing Parvez Hossain Emon for a duck. Haris Rauf then got in on the act, dismissing Saif Hassan and Tanzim Hasan Sakib at crucial junctures. The wickets kept falling at regular intervals, and by the halfway mark, Bangladesh were 47 for 4, their hopes pinned on Shamim Hossain.
Shamim tried valiantly, smashing two sixes in his 30 off 25 balls, but the pressure was relentless. Every time Bangladesh seemed to build a partnership, Pakistan’s bowlers found a way to break through. Saim Ayub, better known for his batting, even chipped in with key wickets, including those of Jaker Ali and Nurul Hasan. The asking rate kept climbing, and with every dot ball, the tension ratcheted up another notch.
Bangladesh’s lower order was left with too much to do. Haris Rauf, despite a brief injury scare that saw the physio rush onto the field, returned to bowl a fiery spell at the death. He cleaned up Taskin Ahmed and Tanzim Hasan Sakib in quick succession, sealing Bangladesh’s fate. In the end, they finished on 124 for 9, falling short by 11 runs in a match that see-sawed until the final overs.
Pakistan’s bowlers were the heroes, with Shaheen Afridi (3 for 17) and Haris Rauf (3 for 33) leading the way. The fielders backed them up with sharp catches—though Bangladesh’s dropped chances in the first innings proved decisive. Mohammad Nawaz and Mohammad Haris’s partnership for the seventh wicket, worth 38 runs, was also pivotal, allowing Pakistan to recover from a dire situation and post a defendable total.
The victory was not without its share of controversy and drama, hallmarks of any high-stakes encounter between these sides. The two previous meetings between India and Pakistan in this tournament were marred by post-match tension, with players refusing to shake hands on both occasions. As the teams prepare for their third and most important clash, all eyes will be on not just the cricket, but the spirit in which it is played.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha couldn’t hide his excitement after the win. “We are very excited,” he said. “We know what we need to do, and we are a good enough team to beat anyone, and we will come on Sunday and try to beat them.” His words echoed the confidence running through the Pakistani camp, especially after back-to-back wins in must-win games against Sri Lanka and now Bangladesh.
On the other side, Bangladesh will rue their missed opportunities—not just in the field, but also with the bat. Taskin Ahmed’s return was a bright spot, but the inability of their top order to build partnerships under pressure ultimately cost them. Captain Litton Das’s absence due to injury was felt, as stand-in skipper Jaker Ali struggled to marshal his troops in the crunch moments.
India, meanwhile, have marched through the tournament unbeaten, having dispatched Bangladesh by 41 runs in their own Super Four encounter. Abhishek Sharma’s quickfire 75 set the tone, while Kuldeep Yadav’s three-wicket haul ensured a comfortable win. With Suryakumar Yadav at the helm, the Men in Blue will be brimming with confidence heading into Sunday’s showdown.
The Super Four points table at the end of the round-robin stage had India and Pakistan tied on four points apiece, with Bangladesh eliminated and Sri Lanka unable to register a win. The final, scheduled for September 28, promises to be a blockbuster, not just for the cricketing rivalry but for the sheer weight of history on the line.
As anticipation builds for the first-ever India vs Pakistan Asia Cup final, fans from both nations—and indeed, around the cricketing world—are preparing for a contest that could define a generation. With both teams boasting world-class talent and plenty of motivation, Sunday’s match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium is set to be a classic.
For now, Pakistan can savor a hard-fought win and the chance to make history. Bangladesh, despite their heartbreak, have shown they can compete with the best, while India await their biggest test yet. The countdown to the Asia Cup final is on, and cricket fans everywhere are in for a treat.
