Pakistan Shaheens Win Asia Cup Rising Stars in Super Over

News Desk

Doha: Pakistan Shaheens clinched the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 title after defeating Bangladesh A in a thrilling Super Over finish at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on Sunday.

Both teams scored 125 runs in their allotted 20 overs, forcing the final into a one-over eliminator.

Super Over Drama

Bangladesh batted first in the Super Over but suffered an early blow when Ahmed Saniyal dismissed Abdul Gaffar Saqlain for a first-ball duck. Despite a wide ball that reached the boundary, Pakistan’s bowlers restricted Bangladesh to six runs in three deliveries.

Chasing seven, Pakistan began with a leg bye before Maaz Sadaqat took a single. Saad Masood then struck a boundary off the third ball, leaving one run needed off three deliveries. Masood secured the winning run with an inside edge, handing Pakistan the title.

Bangladesh Fall Short in Main Match

Earlier, Bangladesh fell just one run short of Pakistan’s target of 126, finishing at 125-9 in 20 overs.

Openers Habibur Rahman Sohan (26 off 13) and Jishan Alam (6) provided a quick start, but Pakistan struck back through Arafat Minhas and Saad Masood, reducing Bangladesh to 36-3 inside five overs.

Regular wickets kept Bangladesh under pressure. Sufiyan Muqeem removed skipper Akbar Ali (2) and later struck twice in one over to dismiss Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, leaving the side at 53-7 by the 11th over.

A late 37-run stand between Rakibul Hasan (24) and SM Meherob (19) revived hopes, but Ahmed Daniyal removed both to push Bangladesh to 96-9 in the 18th over. Tailenders Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and Ripon Mondol launched a late assault with three sixes in the 19th over, taking the game to the final ball. Needing two to win, Bangladesh managed only a single, resulting in a tie.

Pakistan’s Batting Struggles

Pakistan also endured a shaky start as Yasir Khan was run out for a duck on the first ball and Mohammad Faiq fell immediately after, leaving the Shaheens at 2-2.

Partnerships by Ghazi Ghori, Maaz Sadaqat, and later Arafat Minhas offered brief stability, but regular wickets stalled progress. Saad Masood’s crucial 38 off 26 balls lifted Pakistan past 100, but the team ultimately finished at 125-9, with Sufiyan Muqeem unbeaten on four.

The Shaheens held their nerve in the Super Over to seal a memorable victory and lift the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 trophy.