Thriller in Asia Cup 2025 Pakistan Edge Past Bangladesh in Super Four Clash – Drama, Emotions & Full Analysis
Read the full pre and post-match analysis of Pakistan vs Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage. Includes complete scorecard, key highlights, expert breakdown, and passionate fans’ reactions from both nations.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh – Asia Cup 2025 Super Four: Pre-Match & Post-Match Analysis, Full Scorecard & Fans’ Reaction
Pre-Match Analysis
Stakes & Context
- This match was effectively a virtual semi-final: the winner would progress to the Asia Cup final to face India.
- Both teams had already lost to India earlier in the Super Four stage, so redemption and qualification were the primary goals.
- Pakistan’s bowling attack—Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed—was expected to be decisive on a pitch offering assistance to seamers and spinners.
- Bangladesh’s strength lay in their disciplined bowling unit (Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Rishad Hossain) and the hope of building steady partnerships in the chase.
- Toss: Bangladesh, led by Jaker Ali, won the toss and opted to field first, banking on restricting Pakistan to a modest total and then chasing it down.
Predicted Key Battles
- New ball vs Pakistan’s top order: Bangladesh looked to strike early through Taskin and Mustafizur.
- Middle overs: Pakistan aimed to consolidate, while Bangladesh targeted breakthroughs to choke scoring.
- Lower-order runs: Pakistan needed contributions from players like Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Nawaz to boost their total.
- Bangladesh’s batting under pressure: Their top order needed to absorb Pakistan’s pace powerplay and set up a chaseable finish.
Expected Score Range
The Dubai pitch suggested a par score in the 140–160 range. Anything under 130 was likely to put the batting side in serious trouble.
Match Summary
Pakistan Innings
- Pakistan’s top order faltered early: Sahibzada Farhan (4) and Saim Ayub (0) fell quickly.
- Fakhar Zaman (13), Hussain Talat (3), and Salman Ali Agha (19) couldn’t anchor the innings.
- Mohammad Haris steadied the ship with a gritty 31 off 23 balls.
- Shaheen Afridi, promoted up the order, smashed 19 off 13 balls, including two sixes.
- Mohammad Nawaz played a crucial cameo, scoring 25 off 15 with two sixes.
- Faheem Ashraf (14* off 9) and Haris Rauf (3* off 2) added handy runs in the end.
- Pakistan finished with 135/8 in 20 overs, a defendable but below-par total.
Bangladesh Innings
- Pakistan struck early with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf removing the top order.
- Bangladesh’s chase stuttered as wickets kept falling at key stages.
- Shamim Hossain (30) and Nurul Hasan (16) offered resistance but couldn’t form lasting partnerships.
- The lower order, including Tanzim Hasan Sakib (10 off 11), tried to drag Bangladesh close.
- Bangladesh ended at 124/9 in 20 overs.
- Pakistan won by 11 runs and booked their place in the final against India.
Full Scorecard
Pakistan Innings – 135/8 (20 overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sahibzada Farhan | 4 | — | — | — | c & b Taskin Ahmed |
| Fakhar Zaman | 13 | — | — | — | c off Taskin Ahmed |
| Saim Ayub | 0 | — | — | — | lbw/c early |
| Salman Ali Agha (c) | 19 | — | — | — | caught |
| Hussain Talat | 3 | — | — | — | bowled |
| Mohammad Haris (wk) | 31 | 23 | — | — | c & b Mahedi Hasan |
| Shaheen Afridi | 19 | 13 | — | 2 | caught |
| Mohammad Nawaz | 25 | 15 | — | 2 | caught by Emon |
| Faheem Ashraf | 14* | 9 | — | — | not out |
| Haris Rauf | 3* | 2 | — | — | not out |
Extras: 4 (wides/no balls)
Total: 135/8 in 20 overs
Bangladesh Innings – 124/9 (20 overs)
| Batsman | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saif Hassan | — | — | — | — | caught early |
| Parvez Hossain Emon | — | — | — | — | bowled mid innings |
| Towhid Hridoy | — | — | — | — | caught |
| Shamim Hossain | 30 | — | — | — | c Shaheen Afridi |
| Jaker Ali (c/wk) | — | — | — | — | caught behind |
| Nurul Hasan | 16 | — | — | — | c Mohammad Nawaz |
| Mahedi Hasan | — | — | — | — | bowled |
| Rishad Hossain | — | — | — | — | lbw |
| Taskin Ahmed | 3 | — | — | — | caught |
| Tanzim Hasan Sakib | 10 | 11 | — | — | bowled Haris Rauf |
Extras: modest wides/no balls
Total: 124/9 in 20 overs
Post-Match Analysis
Pakistan’s Positives
- Bowling brilliance: Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf struck in the powerplay and death overs, squeezing Bangladesh.
- Lower-order rescue act: Haris, Nawaz, and Shaheen’s cameos gave Pakistan a fighting total.
- Composure in crunch moments: Pakistan held their nerve in the final overs to defend a small total.
Bangladesh’s Shortcomings
- Top-order collapse: Early wickets meant constant scoreboard pressure.
- No big partnerships: Regular dismissals prevented momentum.
- Missed chances in the field: Dropped catches and small lapses cost them dearly.
- Over-reliance on lower order: Tailenders were left with too much to do.
Tactical Lessons
- On sluggish pitches, 135 can be a winning score with disciplined bowling.
- Pakistan’s bowling depth and lower-order batting strength were decisive.
- Bangladesh showed fight but lacked finishing power in crunch stages.
Fans’ Reactions
- Pakistani Fans:
- “From 71/6 to a win — that’s resilience!”
- “Shaheen’s sixes and Haris’s bowling sealed it.”
- Bangladeshi Fans:
- “So close, yet so far. Proud of Shamim’s fight.”
- “Dropped catches hurt us badly. Could’ve been our day.”
- Neutral Viewers:
- “This was a proper nail-biter. Shows why T20 cricket is so unpredictable.”
- “Small totals, big drama — Asia Cup never disappoints.”
Conclusion
Pakistan edged Bangladesh in a tense low-scoring thriller, winning by 11 runs and advancing to the Asia Cup 2025 Final against India. The match highlighted Pakistan’s bowling firepower and the value of lower-order contributions, while Bangladesh’s inability to build partnerships proved costly.
This clash will be remembered as one of the tightest matches of the tournament, with fans on both sides riding a rollercoaster of emotions until the final over.
