Pakistan Storms into Asia Cup Final with Emphatic Win Over Bangladesh

In a match that blended explosive batting with gritty resolve, Pakistan clinched a thrilling seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the 17th fixture of the DP World Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on September 25. Chasing a modest 169, Babar Azam’s masterful unbeaten 101 off 62 balls steered the Men in Green to the target with 12 balls to spare, propelling them into the final against arch-rivals India. For Bangladesh, it was a tale of near-misses and missed opportunities, as their bowlers toiled on a batsman-friendly surface but faltered in the death overs, leaking 52 runs in the last five. Taskin Ahmed’s 3/32 was a standout, but Babar’s elegance and Mohammad Rizwan’s 45 ensured Pakistan’s dominance, marking their third straight Super Four win.

The Asia Cup 2025, shifted to the UAE for security reasons, has been a rollercoaster since its August 30 start in Sharjah. With T20 format demanding innovation, the tournament featured eight teams: powerhouses India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, alongside Afghanistan, UAE, Hong Kong, and an Emerging Cup qualifier. Pakistan, under new captain Salman Ali Agha after Babar’s return to the fold, topped Super Four Group B after a stuttering group stage—wins over UAE and Hong Kong offset by a shock loss to the UAE. Bangladesh, led by Litton Das, scraped through as runners-up, their seven-wicket drubbing of Pakistan in the group stage a morale booster, but subsequent losses to Afghanistan and a narrow escape against Hong Kong exposed frailties.

This Super Four clash was pivotal: a win for Pakistan meant a final spot and revenge; for Bangladesh, survival in the race for a semi-final berth. Over 20,000 fans turned the stadium into a cauldron of green and tiger orange, with chants echoing long after the anthems. Pre-match hype centered on Babar’s form—averaging 78 in the tournament—and Bangladesh’s spin duo of Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Rishad Hossain, who had bamboozled Pakistan earlier.

Salman Agha, opting to bowl first after winning the toss at 6 PM local time—citing dew forecasts—unleashed his seamers under a setting sun, temperatures dipping to 32°C. Bangladesh openers Tanzid Hasan and Litton Das ambled out to a smattering of applause, the pitch offering true bounce and minimal seam movement.

The powerplay was Bangladesh’s domain. Tanzid, the young left-hander, unfurled elegant drives, while Litton’s aggressive pulls exploited short balls. They raced to 52/0 in six overs, with Tanzid’s flicked four off Shaheen Shah Afridi piercing midwicket and Litton’s lofted six off Haris Rauf clearing long-on. The stand swelled to 78 before Afridi struck gold in the eighth over: Litton (42 off 22, 5×4, 2×6) edged a rising delivery to Rizwan, the dive and catch a stunner. Score: 78/1.

Najmul Hossain Shanto joined Tanzid, and the duo rebuilt with finesse. Tanzid’s fifty arrived off 32 balls, a mix of nurdles and whips, but his vigil ended at 62 (off 42) in the 14th over, bowled by Naseem Shah’s inswinging yorker that tailed in late. Enter Towhid Hridoy, who added impetus with a quick 28 off 18 (3×4, 1×6), including a slog-swept boundary off Shadab Khan. But Pakistan’s spinners tightened the screws: Shadab (2/28) deceived Hridoy with a googly, lbw on review, and Imad Wasim’s arm-ball trapped Mehidy (8) plumb in front.

At 132/4 after 17 overs, needing a late surge, Jaker Ali and Rishad Hossain faltered. Afridi returned to claim Rishad (caught at deep midwicket off a miscue) and Taskin (bowled, playing across), finishing with 3/24—his variations unplayable under lights. Jaker’s gritty 22* off 15 provided some respectability, but Bangladesh folded at 168/7 in 20 overs. Naseem (2/35) and Shadab shared the spoils, while extras (12 wides) irked Agha. Litton lamented post-match, “We got 20 short; the middle order didn’t fire. Shaheen’s spell changed everything.”

Pakistan’s reply began with fireworks. Openers Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan attacked from ball one. Ayub, the prodigy, smashed three boundaries in Taskin’s opening over, including a cover drive that raced away. But Bangladesh hit back: Taskin angled one across Ayub (12 off 6), inducing a nick to Litton—20/1 in 2.2 overs. Fakhar Zaman arrived, but his aggressive swipe off Mustafizur Rahman (18 off 10) ended in a top-edge to short third man, 42/2.

Babar Azam, promoted to No. 3, steadied the ship alongside Rizwan. The duo’s 92-run stand off 62 balls was a masterclass in rotation and restraint. Rizwan’s 45 off 38 (4×4) featured deft glances and a pulled six off Mehidy, while Babar’s silken touch—flicks off the pads, punched drives—built pressure. His fifty came off 36 balls, a milestone laced with elegance. Bangladesh’s spinners, Miraz (1/32) and Rishad (1/29), found turn but couldn’t pierce the armor; a reviewed lbw against Babar was overturned as umpire’s call.

Rizwan departed at 134/3 (16.3 overs), stumped off Rishad after advancing and missing a wrong’un—needing 35 off 21. Salman Agha (18 off 12) joined Babar, adding 22 before holing out to long-on off Taskin. At 156/4, needing 13 off 24, Iftikhar Ahmed (8*) and Babar closed out. Babar’s century—a single off Mustafizur’s full toss—drew roars, his 101* (8×4, 3×6) at SR 163 a statement of intent. Taskin’s figures: 3/32 from four overs, but the death leaks—two no-balls and wides—proved costly.

Agha hugged Babar at the finish: “Babar bhai’s knock was poetry. We targeted 170; the bowlers delivered.” Babar, modest as ever, credited the pitch: “Dubai rewards patience. Rizwan’s partnership was key; we’re peaking at the right time.”

Babar’s ton was the headline, his third in Asia Cups, eclipsing his 2022 exploits. Technique impeccable—defending dots when needed, accelerating with lofts over cover— it silenced critics post his ODI captaincy exit. Rizwan’s glue role (tournament average 52) underscored his opener’s evolution, while Shadab’s all-round 2/28 and 12* in the chase hinted at a T20 World Cup recall.

For Bangladesh, Tanzid’s 62 was a bright spark, his poise belying 21 years, but Litton’s 42 couldn’t mask the middle-order wobble—Hridoy and Jaker’s combined 50 off 33 balls underwhelmed. Taskin’s pace and swing troubled Pakistan early, earning him Player of the Match nods in some quarters, but Mustafizur’s 1/41 off four leaked too freely. Rishad’s leg-spin, wicketless in the first innings but snaffling Rizwan, showed promise yet inconsistency.

Fielding tilted the scales: Pakistan’s sharp slips (Afridi’s catch) vs. Bangladesh’s three drops, including Babar on 45 off Shadab. The dew factor, heavier than anticipated, aided Pakistan’s chase—ball slippery for cutters, bowlers struggled.

The handshake was cordial, but tensions simmered—Bangladesh’s group-stage win still rankled. Presentation delayed by 20 minutes for DRS reviews, Agha lifted the Orange Cap (interim, 14 wickets), while Babar pocketed Man of the Match. Litton, gracious: “Pakistan deserved it; Babar’s class is unmatched. We’ll learn from this for the semis push.” Off-field, memes of Taskin’s “near-miss yorkers” trended, and Babar’s cover drive GIFs flooded timelines.

Social media lit up: Pakistan’s official handle posted “Babar the Barrier-Breaker,” garnering 500K likes. Bangladesh fans decried umpiring—“Why no DRS on Tanzid’s lbw?”—but experts like Waqar Younis praised Afridi: “Shaheen’s fire is back; this attack scares anyone.”

Pakistan’s win was no fluke; it highlighted Agha’s captaincy—bold toss, proactive fields, Shadab’s promotion. Their batting depth (four sub-50 scores yet victory) contrasts Bangladesh’s top-heavy reliance. Spin’s role: Shadab and Imad conceded 5.2 runs/over, exploiting Dubai’s grip, while Bangladesh’s duo averaged 7.8—dew the villain.

Broader implications: Pakistan, unbeaten in Super Fours now, eyes the final vs. India on September 28—a rematch of 2023’s heartbreak. Momentum builds for 2026 T20WC, with Babar’s form (tournament 289 runs) quelling retirement whispers. Bangladesh, third in Super Fours, fights for semis vs. Sri Lanka; Litton’s leadership under scrutiny after three losses in four.

Tactically, Afridi’s return from injury (3/24) bolsters the seam trio, but middle-order finishing remains a query—Iftikhar’s cameos inconsistent. For Bangladesh, Tanzid’s emergence is gold, but pace backups (Shoriful absent) exposed Taskin’s workload (18 overs in two games).

The UAE venues—true pitches, short squares—favor chases (65% success), suiting Pakistan’s aggression. Yet, dew’s asymmetry demands toss mastery; Agha nailed it.

As floodlights dimmed, Pakistan’s dugout erupted—hugs, dances to the team song—while Bangladesh huddled, heads bowed but unbroken. This wasn’t just a win; it was redemption, a statement in a tournament laced with subcontinental spice.

Babar’s ton joins Asia Cup lore, beside Inzamam’s 1990s gems, reminding why he’s generational. For Bangladesh, the loss stings but steels—a nation that stunned India in 2023, they’re no pushovers. As the final looms, cricket’s heartbeat quickens: green vs. blue, history vs. hunger.

In Dubai’s sands, where dreams collide, Pakistan marches on. The Asia Cup’s crescendo builds—may the better team prevail, sans the shadows.