DUBAI — Pakistan survived a top-order collapse and leaned on their pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf to clinch a thrilling 11-run win over Bangladesh in their Asia Cup Super Four clash on Thursday, setting up a blockbuster final against archrivals India.
Put into bat, Pakistan stumbled to 135-8, with Mohammad Haris (31) and Shaheen Afridi (19) offering late resistance after the top order crumbled to 49-5. Bangladesh’s sloppy fielding — dropping multiple catches, including Afridi twice — compounded their own troubles.
Shaheen then struck in trademark fashion in the first over, finishing with 3-17, while Haris matched him with three scalps at the death despite an injury scare. Bangladesh’s chase never gathered momentum, slipping to 124-9 after 20 overs.
Afridi, named Player of the Match, said his plan was simple: “I attacked up-front as the team needed an early breakthrough — the three overs in the powerplay made all the difference.” He dedicated his award to his wife and son.
Skipper Salman Ali Agha hailed the fighting spirit: “If we can win these kinds of games, then we must be a special team.”
The result means Pakistan, three-time Asia Cup champions, advance to their first final against India in the tournament’s 17 editions, ensuring one of cricket’s most intense rivalries will decide the 2025 crown in Dubai on Sunday.