Cricket history will be made this Sunday as India and Pakistan face each other in an Asia Cup final for the very first time in the tournament’s 41-year history. Pakistan booked their place in the title clash after a hard-fought 11-run win over Bangladesh in Dubai, setting up a dream showdown that fans across the world have been waiting decades to see.
Defending a modest 135, Pakistan’s bowlers rose to the occasion. Shaheen Shah Afridi struck twice early, Haris Rauf delivered crucial breakthroughs in the middle overs, and Saim Ayub chipped in with two wickets as Bangladesh were restricted to 124 for 9. Shamim Hossain’s 30 was the only significant resistance in a batting effort that never gathered momentum.
Earlier, Pakistan had their struggles with the bat as well. Reduced to 49 for 5 at one stage, they were rescued by Mohammad Haris, who scored 31 off 23 balls, and Mohammad Nawaz, who added a quickfire 25. Their contributions, along with a couple of late sixes from Afridi, pushed Pakistan to 135, which proved just enough on a tricky pitch.
While Bangladesh showed glimpses of promise through Saif Hassan and Nurul Hasan’s aggressive strokes, their middle order collapsed under pressure. With regular captain Litton Das sidelined by injury, stand-in skipper Jaker Ali and the others could not carry the chase deep, leaving Pakistan to celebrate a famous victory.
The result now delivers what fans have long dreamed of: an India–Pakistan Asia Cup final. After more than four decades of competition, the two arch-rivals will meet in the tournament’s showpiece match for the very first time, promising one of the most electrifying encounters in modern cricket.
(Tamil Craze)
