It is an India vs Pakistan T20I final after 18 years. Seven years on from the Champions Trophy final in London, the two sides will meet once again in the summit clash of a multi-nation tournament on Sunday, 28 September. And the Asia Cup is set for its blockbuster finale for the first time in its 41-year history.

While India romped past the chasing pack to reach the Asia Cup 2025 summit clash, Pakistan huffed and puffed past Bangladesh in their final Super 4 match on Thursday to secure their place in the decider. | PAK vs BAN Super 4 Highlights – Scorecard |

The Pakistan vs Bangladesh clash was a contest between two tentative sides, seemingly stepping onto the field with fear of failure. Ultimately, Pakistan were let off scot-free, their bowlers coming to the rescue in what amounted to a virtual semi-final in Dubai.

Pakistan had been in danger of elimination after a shoddy batting performance that saw them post a below-par total of 135 in 20 overs. However, led by an improved Shaheen Afridi and a clinical effort from their spinners, Pakistan managed to defend the total and deliver a crushing blow to Bangladesh. In the end, Pakistan won by 11 runs to secure their place in the final, which promises to be another chapter in the historically lopsided India vs Pakistan rivalry.

Pakistan had been hammered by India in their first Super 4 match last Sunday but bounced back with victories over Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to reach the final. India, meanwhile, will face Sri Lanka in a dead-rubber encounter in Dubai on Friday before the much-anticipated final.

ALL-ROUND SHAHEEN PAKISTAN’S SAVIOUR

Shaheen Shah Afridi stepped up when Pakistan needed him most. He was the enforcer-in-chief with the ball and the saviour with the bat. His 19 off 13 deliveries lifted Pakistan out of the doldrums after they had slumped to 49 for 5 in the 11th over. Shaheen’s two towering sixes injected some much-needed spark into the innings and set the tone for late cameos from Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Nawaz.

With the ball, Shaheen struck twice in the powerplay and set the tone with an impeccable three-over spell up front, conceding just 11 runs. He finished with superb figures of 3 for 17 in four overs, rounding off his effort with the crucial dismissal of Shamim Hossain – the only Bangladesh batter to cross 20 – with a cleverly disguised slower delivery.

Fittingly, Shaheen was named Player of the Match. Having been guilty of over-pitching in search of swing in previous games, the left-arm pacer adjusted his length, consistently hitting the good-length area and extracting more from the Dubai surface, which offered assistance to both seamers and spinners.

“I will dedicate this award to my beautiful wife and son, who are here,” Shaheen said, while also reflecting on the work he has put into perfecting his slower ball.

BANGLADESH LOSE THE PLOT WITH BAT

Bangaldesh did not put the pressure on Pakistan bowlers in the powerplay as they appeared tentative. Their shot-selection left a lot to be desired. After Parvez Hossain Emon (0) and Towhid Hirdoy (5) fell to Shaheen, in-form Saif Hossain, who had hit a fifty against India, threw it away.

He looked good after hitting two sixes in the powerplay, but fell to the express pace of Haris in the sixth over. The right-handed batter, who had been striking cleanly, attempted a cross-batted heave only to find a leading edge that flew to point.

Bangladesh slipped to 36 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. From there, unlike Pakistan, they allowed panic to set in and failed to find a batter who could anchor the innings and play with composure.

Unable to score freely against Pakistan’s in-form trio of spinners — Mohammad Nawaz, Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed — Bangladesh let the pressure build, repeatedly playing rash strokes and throwing their wickets away.

Mahedi Hasan, promoted to No. 5, showed some spark with his 11, but squandered it by hitting Nawaz straight into the hands of sweeper cover.

Young Saim Ayub, who had bagged his fourth duck of the tournament earlier in the day, redeemed himself with the ball. Aware that Bangladesh were under scoreboard pressure, he bowled intelligently, dragging the ball away from the hitting arc of the opposition batters.

Saim claimed the big wickets of Nurul Hasan (16) and stand-in captain Jaker Ali (5) in successive overs, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 73 for 6.

Shamim Hossain tried to keep the chase alive with a gritty effort, but paid the price for poor shot selection, caught at short third man while attempting a reverse sweep to a slower ball from Shaheen.

Haris Rauf then applied the finishing touches to the innings, delivering thunderbolts to dismiss Tanzim Sakib and Taskin Ahmed.

Rishad Hossain, known for his big hitting, landed a few lusty blows in the final over, but by then it was far too late for Bangladesh.

– Ends