For the first time in Asia Cup history, archrivals India and Pakistan will face each other in the final. Bangladesh bowed out after suffering an 11-run defeat to Pakistan in what effectively turned into a semifinal clash of the Super Four stage.
In the Dubai encounter, Pakistan batted first and managed 135 runs for 8 wickets in 20 overs. Haris top-scored with 31, Nawaz added 25, and Afridi chipped in with 19. For Bangladesh, Taskin Ahmed picked up 3 wickets while Mehidy Hasan claimed 2.
Chasing 136, Bangladesh faltered from the start, losing wickets at regular intervals. They could only muster 124 for 9 in 20 overs. Shamim scored 30, Sohan 16, and Saif 18 runs, but none could anchor the innings. Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi shone with the ball, grabbing 3 wickets and earning the Player of the Match award.
Result: Pakistan won by 11 runs.
The stage is now set for the much-anticipated India–Pakistan final in the Asia Cup.
Scorecard
Pakistan: 135/8 in 20 overs
(Farhan 4, Fakhar 13, Saim 0, Salman 19, Talat 3, Haris 31, Afridi 19, Nawaz 25, Faheem 14*, Rauf 3*; Taskin 4–0–28–3, Mehidy 4–0–28–2, Tanzim 4–0–28–0, Mustafiz 4–0–33–1, Rishad 4–0–18–2)
Bangladesh: 124/9 in 20 overs
(Saif 18, Parvez 0, Hridoy 5, Sheikh Mehidy 11, Sohan 16, Shamim 30, Zakir 4, Tanzim 10, Rishad —, Taskin 4, Mustafiz 6; Afridi 4–0–17–3, Faheem 2–0–18–0, Rauf —, Abrar 3–0–13–0, Saim 4–0–16–2, Nawaz 3–0–14–1)
Result: Pakistan won by 11 runs.
Player of the Match: Shaheen Shah Afridi.