For the first time since the tournament began in 1984, Pakistan and India will meet in the Asia Cup final
Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 11 runs in the Super Four and sealed their place in the title match.
India had already qualified, which set up this historic showdown. The final is scheduled for Sunday and the stage is now clear for the two rivals.
This pairing has never happened before in the tournament’s history. Sixteen editions have come and gone without a Pakistan versus India final.
That is why this clash carries extra weight for fans and players. It also gives the event a clear headline moment.
India enter with the strongest record in the competition. They have won eight titles and have reached the last stages many times.
Pakistan have lifted the trophy twice and seek a third crown. Sri Lanka sit second on the roll of honor with six wins.
Form will matter, but so will nerve. Pakistan defended a modest total against Bangladesh by holding their lines at the death.
India, meanwhile, have shown tempo with the bat and control with the ball. As the countdown begins, both teams will try to fine tune powerplay plans and fielding standards.
Pakistan ready for Asia cup final against India, says Agha Salman
Pakistan’s T20 captain Agha Salman said his team knows exactly what to do in the final and stands fully prepared.
He spoke after the Super Four win over Bangladesh, a tight contest that Pakistan controlled in the closing overs.
He praised the group for holding nerve when the game tightened. He also highlighted the value of clear roles and calm decision making under pressure.
According to Agha Salman, the bowlers set the tone and the fielders matched that intensity.
He applauded Shaheen Afridi for putting Bangladesh under pressure from the start. That early squeeze, he said, allowed Pakistan to manage the chase through disciplined plans.
As a result, the team carried confidence into the finish.
Now the focus shifts to India in the title match. The captain promised a brave approach. He said the players understand the moment and will embrace it.
Pakistan to face India in Asia Cup 2025 final
Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf shared six wickets between them as Pakistan defended a modest 136-run target to defeat Bangladesh by 11 runs in their must-win ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Four encounter.
The hard-fought victory sealed Pakistan’s place in the final, where they will meet arch-rivals India for the first time in the continental tournament’s history.
Bangladesh, chasing 136, managed 124 for nine in their 20 overs despite a fighting 30 from Shamim Hossain.
Shaheen gave Pakistan the perfect start by dismissing Parvez Hossain Emon for a duck in the opening over, before quick strikes left Bangladesh reeling at 29 for three inside the powerplay.
Mahedi Hasan (11) and Nurul Hasan offered brief resistance, but Mohammad Nawaz broke the stand before Shamim tried to steady the innings with a brisk 30 off 25 balls.
His dismissal in the 17th over triggered another collapse as Haris Rauf struck twice in quick succession, finishing with three wickets alongside Shaheen. Saim Ayub took two scalps while Nawaz claimed one.
Pakistan set Bangladesh target of 136 runs
Pakistan set a target of 136 runs for Bangladesh in their Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours clash on Thursday, with the winner securing a spot in the final against India.
Taskin Ahmed produced an impressive spell, claiming 3 wickets for 28 runs, as Bangladesh restricted Pakistan to a modest total in their crucial ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Stand-in skipper Jaker Ali’s decision to bowl first proved effective, with his side limiting Pakistan to 135 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Pakistan’s innings got off to a poor start, losing in-form opener Sahibzada Farhan for four and Saim Ayub for a duck within the opening two overs, leaving them reeling at five for two.
Captain Salman Ali Agha then partnered with senior batter Fakhar Zaman in an attempt to steady the innings, but their stand of 24 runs was broken in the seventh over when Rishad Hossain dismissed Zaman.
Bangladesh win toss against Pakistan
Bangladesh won the toss and decided to field first against Pakistan in the crucial Asia Cup Super Four clash at the Dubai Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Captain Jaker Ali explained that the choice to bowl first was influenced by the dry nature of the pitch.
Crucial Super Four battle today
The Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh will take place today, September 25, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE.
The match is a decisive one, as the winner will secure a place in Sunday’s final against India.
India has already booked its spot in the title match after an unbeaten run in the Super Four stage.
Yesterday, after winning against Bangladesh, India made it to the Final of the Asia Cup 2025.
Pakistan squad
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.
Bangladesh squad
Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Shaif Uddin.
more to follow
Read more: Asia Cup 2025 Ind vs Ban: India beat Bangladesh by 41 runs
