In a must-win match of the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four round, Pakistan defeat Bangladesh after a close contest by 11 runs Shaheen Shah and Haris Rauf hammered the Bangladesh batting-line up.

With this win, Pakistan has confirmed its berth for the tournament final on September 28 in Dubai. This will the third back-to-back encounter between Pakistan and India in the ongoing Asia Cup.

Chasing a meagre target of 136 runs, Bangladesh were stuck on 124 runs in twenty overs at the loss of nine wickets.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, showing his magnamious class, took three wickets. Pacer Haris Rauf also followed his footsteps, grabbing three wickets. Both pacers categorically dismantled the Bangladesh batting line up, despite having a low score to defend.

Pakistan’s batter Saim Ayub who again got dismissed on a duck in today’s match, his fourth in the ongoing tournament, also took two crucial wickets.

Shamim Hossain made 30 runs for Bangladesh. He was dismissed by Shaheen Shah after coach Mike Hesson advised him to bowl a slow bouncer through captain Salman Agha.

Batting first, Pakistan batters had conceded to Bangladesh bowlers as they only managed to post 135 runs on the board in a must-win match for them.

31 runs by Mohammad Haris, and 25 by Mohammad Nawaz prevented Pakistan from a possible collapse, as half of the Pakistan team had been sent back to the dug-out at the score of just 49.

Taskin Ahmed clinched three wickets, while Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain grabbed a couple of wickets each.

Bangladesh captain Jaker Ali won the toss and elected to field first.

There had been no changes in the Pakistan playing XI as all the players from the last match against Sri Lanka were retained.

The loss in today’s match could have resulted in the elimination of Pakistan from the rally to the Asia Cup’s final, and Bangladesh would have eventually qualified for the finals with four points.