Asia Cup 2025: Haris and Nawaz Rescue Pakistan to 135, Bangladesh in Control of Virtual Semi-Final
Dubai: Pakistan posted a modest 135 for 8 in their first innings against Bangladesh in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, thanks to a fighting lower-order stand between Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Nawaz. On a slow, used surface in Dubai, Bangladesh's bowlers dominated proceedings and put their side firmly in control in this virtual semi-final clash.
With India already through to the final, the winner of this match will join them. Bangladesh, after restricting Pakistan to a below-par total, have taken a major step towards qualification.
Early Strikes Dent Pakistan
Pakistan’s innings never gained momentum after being put in to bat by Bangladesh’s stand-in captain Jaker Ali. Speedster Taskin Ahmed, returning to the XI after being rested against India, struck in the very first over by dismissing the in-form Sahibzada Farhan for 4.
Mahedi Hasan followed it up in the next over by removing Saim Ayub, who registered his fourth duck in six Asia Cup innings—his ninth overall in T20Is, second only to Umar Akmal (10 ducks) for Pakistan.
Struggling to build partnerships, Pakistan crawled to 33 for 4 by the ninth over, with Fakhar Zaman managing only 13 off 20 balls before falling to Rishad Hossain, who later also removed Hussain Talat with a sharp wrong’un.
Rishad, Taskin, and Mustafizur Shine
Rishad Hossain was exceptional in the middle overs, ending with figures of 2 for 18 from four overs, also contributing in the field with two catches. He was unlucky not to add Shaheen Afridi’s wicket to his tally, with two chances dropped off his bowling in the 12th over.
Taskin Ahmed, meanwhile, was clinical at the death, picking up 3 for 28 and becoming only the third Bangladeshi bowler after Shakib Al Hasan and Mustafizur Rahman to reach 100 T20I wickets. Mustafizur also maintained pressure at the other end with a tight spell.
Haris and Nawaz Offer Late Resistance
From 79 for 7, Mohammad Haris (31 off 23) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15) stitched a brisk stand to push Pakistan past 130. Their quickfire partnership included 11 runs in the final over, giving the bowlers a total to defend.
Still, the advantage firmly rests with Bangladesh at the halfway mark. Their bowlers executed the plans with precision on a slow surface, and with a relatively modest chase ahead, a spot in the final is theirs to lose.
Regular captain Litton Das, sidelined due to a side strain, was seen warmly congratulating his bowlers as they walked off the field, aware that they had done the hard work already.