Pakistan knock Bangladesh out of Asia Cup to set up final clash with arch-foes India

New Delhi: Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 11 runs in the second-last Super Four match on Thursday to set up the final clash against arch-foes India on Sunday. This would the first time both the teams will meet in the final of the continental tournament.

After India beat Bangladesh on Wednesday, the Pakistan vs Bangladesh clash was a virtual semifinal giving the winner an entry into the finale and the Men in Green sealed the win convincingly despite a below-par score of 135/8 in the first innings.

This would be the third time in Asia Cup 2025 that the traditional rivals will meet, having played a game earlier in the Super Four stage while another one during the stage league. Both the matches were won by India. Meanwhile, chasing a paltry target of 136 runs, Bangladesh put up a spirited effort with ball but could not showcase courage with the bat but remaining afar from the crossing the finish line.

Shamim Hossain top-scored for the team with 30 runs while opener Saif Hassan was the other notable run-scorer with 18 runs. Rest of batters failed to showcase courage in front of a brilliant Pakistan bowling which was led by Shaheen Shah Afridi who claimed three wickets to push the opponents towards the wall. Apart from him, Haris Rauf also claimed three wickets while Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz contributed with two and one wicket respectively.

Earlier, Bangladesh bowled fantastically well to restrict Pakistan to an under-par total with Taskin Ahmed shining for the side with three wickets. For the Men in Green, Mohammad Haris scored 31 runs while Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with 25 runs after the top-order failed to push the scoreboard. Skipper Salman Agha also contributed 19 runs to Pakistan's first-innings score.

For Bangladesh apart from Taskin, Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain claimed two wickets each while Mustafizur also chipped in with a scalp. Pakistan lock horns with India in the summit clash at Dubai on September 28.