🏏T20 Asia Cup 2025: PAK vs BD, Match 17, A2 vs B2 - Super 4 @Dubai🏏 - Page 2

Thank you, Raji, for the thread and for tagging me.

I want to see a thriller!!

It’s a winner-takes-all fixture for both teams as they look to reach the final of the tournament after both losing one of their two matches of the Super Fours stage.

The Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 stage heats up with a virtual semi-final. Pakistan and Bangladesh square off today at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The winner will book a spot in the September 28 final against India.

Pakistan Look to Build on Momentum

Pakistan head into the contest after a strong win against Sri Lanka, which came on the heels of their earlier defeat to India. Their bowling attack looked in fine rhythm, and it is expected to play a crucial role once again. Bangladesh, meanwhile, faced a setback against India but had rested a few key players with this virtual semifinal in mind. The likely return of Litton Das and Mahedi Hasan could boost their chances significantly.

The Dubai surface has favoured batters in recent games of the continental competition. While the middle overs have proven tricky, runs have flowed more freely during the power play and at the death. Teams chasing have generally enjoyed better success here. Bowlers who miss their lines or lengths have been heavily punished, and a similar trend is expected in today’s clash.

Salman Ali Agha vs Mustafizur Rahman

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, struggling for form in the tournament, will aim to lead from the front with the bat against Bangladesh. He will face Bangladesh’s Mustafizur Rahman, who has taken key wickets in crucial moments and will look to strike again in this high-stakes clash.

Fakhar Zaman vs Taskin Ahmed

Pakistan’s left-handed opener, Fakhar Zaman, will look to make amends after failing to score big in the previous games. He will go head-to-head with Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed, who is likely to return to the playing XI for this crucial clash and take the new ball for his side.

India sealed their place in the final yesterday with a convincing 41-run win over Bangladesh. The openers from both teams stole the show, with Abhishek Sharma blazing away for India and Saif Hassan fighting hard for Bangladesh. But what tilted the game India’s way were the extra hands that chipped in. Shubman Gill with a steady knock at the top and Hardik Pandya with a crucial cameo towards the end. That sort of support was exactly what Bangladesh missed. Today, they’ll have the chance to address those gaps and prove they can push through under pressure.

The winner books a place in the final, while the loser goes home. Simple equation. The battle of the openers could once again be decisive. Sahibzada Farhan has provided Pakistan with explosive starts, while Saif Hassan has been Bangladesh’s pillar at the top. On paper, Pakistan hold a slight edge thanks to their potent bowling attack. With Shaheen Afridi’s fire in the powerplay, Haris Rauf’s raw pace, and Abrar Ahmed coming off that sensational 4-over spell conceding just 8 runs a few days back, Pakistan look well-rounded. But don’t count Bangladesh out. They’ve shown plenty of grit and character in this tournament, and in a must-win clash like this, they’ll be desperate to rise to the occasion. These two teams haven’t faced each other yet in this campaign, which adds even more spice to the contest. Let’s hope we get to witness a thriller.

Having beaten Sri Lanka and lost to India, the fate of both Pakistan and Bangladesh lie in the upcoming do-or-die encounter in Dubai

Litton Das hasn't recovered yet and is unlikely to feature in Bangladesh's playing XI today..

Toss time--

Bangladesh have won the toss and have opted to field

Jaker Ali:

Teams:

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali(w/c), Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman

Looks like a good covering of grass. It did take some turn. Swing bowlers and seam bowlers got some movement. There would be some movement thanks to the humidity. There is something in the air. Don't lose too many in the powerplay. There might be some turn later. -- Waqar Younis and Simon Doull at the Pitch Report.

Pakistan (Playing XI): Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha(c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris(w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed