In a high-stakes Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash at Dubai on September 25, Pakistan and Bangladesh locked horns in what turned out to be a gripping 17th match. With the winner destined to move on to the final against India, tension and excitement filled the air at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh, opting to bowl first after winning the toss, sought to restrict Pakistan to a modest total and chase it down to grab the much-coveted final spot. The drama unfolded as Pakistan posted a fighting total of 135 for 8 in their 20 overs, and then leaned on their bowlers to defend that modest target under the lights in Dubai, ultimately sealing a thrilling 11-run victory.

Pakistan’s innings marked by early setbacks and crucial lower-order stands

Pakistan’s batting innings started on a shaky note with immediate breakthroughs for Bangladesh’s pace spearhead Taskin Ahmed, who dismissed opener Sahibzada Farhan early for 4 runs. Early wickets also fell to Bangladesh spinners Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan, leaving Pakistan struggling at 49 for 5. Fakhar Zaman and Hussain Talat could not capitalize, adding to Pakistan’s woes. However, crucial cameo innings from Salman Agha (19 off 23 balls), Mohammad Haris (31 off 23) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15), combined with quick finishes by Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf at the death, helped Pakistan reach a defendable total despite the top-order collapse.

Shaheen Shah Afridi provided a vital late innings boost with 19 runs off 13 balls, including two big sixes that raised the team’s spirits. Taskin led the Bangladesh bowling effort with 3 wickets, but Pakistan’s fightback through the latter half of the innings was key to posting 135/8 in the full quota of 20 overs.

Pakistan’s bowlers hold nerve to wrap up Bangladesh chase

Chasing 136 for victory, Bangladesh faced early setbacks with Parvez Hossain Emon dismissed for a duck in the first over by Afridi. Despite a fighting 30 by Shamim Hossain and steady contributions from other lower middle-order batters like Nurul Hasan and Saif Hassan (18 off 15), Bangladesh regularly lost wickets at crucial intervals, never able to build significant partnerships.

The Pakistani pace duo of Haris Rauf and Afridi picked up key wickets, while Taskin’s spirited bowling earned him three wickets although his efforts could not prevent the loss. Pakistan’s disciplined bowling unit executed their plans perfectly under pressure, tightly managing the middle and death overs to restring the chase. Bangladesh closed their innings at 124 for 9 in 20 overs, falling short by 11 runs in a match that will be remembered for its tense finish and fierce competition. This victory propelled Pakistan into the Asia Cup 2025 final against India, sparking huge celebrations and setting the stage for an epic summit showdown.

Also WATCH: Mahedi Hasan plucks a brilliant catch to dismiss Mohammad Haris in PAK vs BAN Asia Cup 2025 clash

Here’s how fans reacted:

Pakistan are into the final after registering a thrilling win over Bangladesh 👏#AsiaCup #PAKvBAN
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/a8R3QHSIkF pic.twitter.com/VjidC4oK6w

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) September 25, 2025

Pakistan advance to the ACC Men’s T20I Asia Cup 2025 final! 🤩#PAKvBAN | #AsiaCup2025 | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/EE7IekDhvz

— junaid Ch (@junaidC65251486) September 25, 2025

Another brilliant bowling spell by Shaheen, a match-winning performance – 3 wickets for 17 runs in 4 overs. Well done!#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/2bLk2t9enB

— TEAM AFRIDI (@TEAM_AFRIDI) September 25, 2025

A MATCH-WINNING SPELL BY SHAHEEN SHAH AFRIDI 🔥👏

-4 overs
-17 runs
-3 wickets
-16 dot balls

Back-to-back brilliant spells from him!#PAKvBAN #AsiaCup2025 #pakvsban pic.twitter.com/LQFEr8dHJx

— Usman (@callmemanu7_) September 25, 2025

Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled a excellent spell and took 3/17 in 4 Overs#AsiaCupT20 #AsiaCup #PAKvsBAN pic.twitter.com/Ndby3Ytc5P

— Sunny (@ShivTrilokiNath) September 25, 2025

SHAHEEN AFRIDI WITH THE BIG WICKET!🤩🔥

– Mike Hesson is happy. 👏#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/MVUElsNCMP

— Ahsan Shah 💚🇵🇰 (@ahsan_shah90) September 25, 2025

Shaheen Afridi, you are a genius 🔥#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/rlzv0aMlCp

— Rana Sufyan (@RealSufii) September 25, 2025

NAWAZ IS EVERYWHERE

Another wicket for Saim Ayub, another catch by Mohammad Nawaz

The game is ON 🔥#PAKvBAN #AsiaCup2025 https://t.co/Oqv2iXUgNp

— Muzammal Shah (@imuzammalshah) September 25, 2025

MOHAMMAD NAWAZ THE MATCH WINNER STRIKES!!! pic.twitter.com/QIZPhHVJot

— PCT Replays 2.0 (@ReplaysPCT) September 25, 2025

📸:💚🇵🇰
Can you imagine, Mohammad Nawaz did not bowl in last 2 games? 🥴#PAKvBAN | #AsiaCup2025live pic.twitter.com/btV6HLyzJq

— 𝐅𝐚𝐧❥𝐁𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐳𝐚𝐦 𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐬🏏 (@Bobi_1A) September 25, 2025

Also READ: Fans brutally troll Saim Ayub as Pakistani batter falls for 4th duck in Asia Cup 2025 – PAK vs BAN

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