Pakistan sneak narrow win to set finals date with India

Led by a clinical bowling performance on a surface where run-making wasn't easy, Pakistan defended their joint-lowest total against Bangladesh and booked a place in the final of the 2025 Asia Cup, where they will face India on Sunday. Led by a late blitz from Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Nawaz, Pakistan posted 135 for 8, a total handy to beat Bangladesh by 11 runs on Friday, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Where was the game won?

Death overs: Heading into the death overs, even if marginally, Bangladesh were technically ahead of Pakistan. However, Mohammad Nawaz was able to take full advantage of a dropped catch, and with full license to swing, smashed a breezy 15-ball 25 to help Pakistan to a competitive total on a surface where getting the big hits wasn't easy. Bangladesh, on the other hand, reached the same stage under pressure of a massive required rate, and struggled against the clever changes in pace of the Pakistani pacers. In some ways, the impact of the middle overs (where Bangladesh fielders dropped three catches and later missed out a run out chance) was felt in the final stage.

Pakistan

PowerPlay - Pakistan strangled in the powerplay

Phase score: 27/2 [RR: 4.50, 4s/6s: 5/0]

Bangladesh struck early after electing to bowl, with Rishad Hossain taking a sharp catch at backward point to send Sahibzada Farhan back in the first over of the innings. A few balls later, Saim Ayub's innings was also cut short for a duck (his fourth in six innings), with the batter hitting to the same fielder at mid on. Mustafizur Rahman and Tanzim Sakib took the pace off the ball and bowled in tight channels to ensure that Pakistan didn't get a move on on a surface where run-scoring was challenging. Even as Fakhar Zaman struck three boundaries after losing two early wickets, Pakistan were restricted to 27 for 2 - the lowest powerplay score in Dubai in this Asia Cup.

Middle overs - Rishad tightens the noose

Phase score: 56/4 [RR: 6.22, 4s/6s: 3/2]

Pakistan struggled in their attempt to revive their innings in the middle overs, especially with Rishad striking twice in his first two overs. Fakhar Zaman holed out to the fielder at long on and Hussain Talat was caught at backward point. The leggie was difficult to put away. Skipper Salman Agha struggled to get a move on and was eventually caught inside edging Mustafizur Rahman to the 'keeper for a 23-ball 19. Mohammad Haris and Shaheen Afridi hit some big shots towards the end of the middle phase, and were aided by three easy dropped catches by the Bangladeshi fielders, which allowed them a more respectable escape to the death overs.

Death overs - Nawaz provides late flourish

Phase score: 52/2 [RR: 10.40, 4s/6s: 1/3]

Haris, who survived a run out due to a throw at the wrong end by Parvez Hossain Emon, couldn't add much thereafter, but the dropped catches in the middle overs proved costly for Bangladesh as Nawaz provided Pakistan with a much-needed surge in the death overs. He smashed Mahedi Hasan for a six down the ground and then meted out a similar treatment to Taskin Ahmed in the next over before getting out. Faheem Ashraf added 11 useful runs in the last over to help Pakistan to a competitive total.

Bangladesh

PowerPlay - Pakistan strike early

Phase score: 36/3 [RR: 6.00, 4s/6s: 1/4]

Pakistan made an impressive start in defence of their total, with three strikes in the PowerPlay. Even as Bangladesh attempted to be aggressive, they couldn't get momentum in terms of runs either. Bangladesh's downfall started with Shaheen Afridi striking in the first over. Afridi, who delivered three overs in the PowerPlay, also had Towhid Hridoy top edging to backward point. Saif Hassan, who pressed the accelerator in the fourth over against Haris Rauf after a slow start, eventually fell to the pacer in the last over of the PowerPlay.

Middle overs - Pakistan apply spin choke

Phase score: 49/3 [RR: 5.79, 4s/6s: 0/6]

Even as the required rate wasn't too stiff, run scoring wasn't easy. Pakistan's spin trio of Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub choked Bangladesh through the middle overs, and attempts to hit the big shots didn't prove too fruitful. Mahedi Hasan went inside out against Nawaz and holed out to the sweeper cover. Nurul Hasan's painful stay in the middle was brought to an end by Saim Ayub, when he lofted to the fielder at long off. Jaker Ali looked assured and unhurried even when the required rate crept past the 9-run mark, but after settling in a bit, he too was undone by Saim's clever use of line.

Death overs - Bangladesh fall in a heap

Phase score: 39/3 [RR: 7.80, 4s/6s: 5/1]

The pressure had transferred significantly on Bangladesh by the time they reached the death overs. With useful conditions on offer, Pakistan's pacers used their slower balls to good effect. Tanzim Sakib was foxed and cleaned up by Haris Rauf. Rishad Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman swung their bats around to keep Bangladesh in the hunt till the last over. Nawaz put down an easy catch at long on, but that wasn't to hurt Pakistan. With 18 runs needed off the last three balls, Rishad pumped Rauf for a six down the ground to keep their hopes alive. But that happened to be the last scoring shot of the game.

What's next for these teams?

Bangladesh's campaign has come to an end, while Pakistan are set to face India for the third time in the ongoing tournament, this time in the high-stakes final.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 135/8 in 20 overs (Mohammad Haris 31, Mohammad Nawaz 25; Taskin Ahmed 3-28, Rishad Hossain 2-18) beat Bangladesh 124/9 in 20 overs (Shamim Hossain 30, Saif Hassan 18; Shaheen Afridi 3-17, Haris Rauf 3-33) by 11 runs