DOHA: Pakistan Shaheens lifted the Asia Cup Rising Stars trophy after edging Bangladesh A in a nail-biting super over finale at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Bangladesh, chasing 126, faltered under pressure and finished their 20 overs at 125-9, forcing the match into a dramatic tie-breaker. In the super over, Bangladesh set Pakistan a target of seven, which the Shaheens chased down in just four deliveries, sealed by Saad Masood’s boundary under pressure.
Bangladesh’s Collapse and Fightback
Bangladesh began positively as Habibur Rahman Sohan and Jishan Alam added 22 runs in the opening 2.3 overs. However, Arafat Minhas triggered a sudden collapse by trapping Alam lbw for six. Habibur Rahman (26 off 17) followed soon after, and with Mahidul Islam Ankon departing for a duck, Bangladesh slipped to 36-3 in 4.2 overs.
Pakistan’s spinners kept the noose tight, reducing the Tigers to 53-7 at the halfway mark. But a gritty 37-run partnership between Ripon Mondol and SM Meherob revived hopes, pushing the score closer to triple digits. Meherob contributed 19 off 21 before departing, leaving Bangladesh’s fate hanging by a thread.
The late fireworks came from Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, who smashed three sixes in a 16 off 12 cameo, dragging the chase to the final over and ensuring the match ended in a tie.
Earlier: Pakistan Struggle to 125 All Out
Batting first, Pakistan endured a disastrous start as opener Yasir Khan departed for a golden duck, followed by Mohammad Faiq, dismissed for a second-ball duck, leaving the Shaheens reeling at 2-2 in just 1.1 overs.
Attempting to rebuild, Ghazi Ghori and Maaz Sadaqat added 23 runs, but Ghori’s sluggish nine off nine ended the partnership. Bangladesh maintained their momentum, tearing through the middle order to leave Pakistan wobbling at 49-4 by the seventh over.
Arafat Minhas and captain Irfan Niazi offered brief resistance but failed to convert, slipping the side further to 75-6 in 14.2 overs. It was Saad Masood who lifted Pakistan to a respectable total, smashing three sixes and three fours in his crucial 38 off 26 balls.
Bangladesh’s bowling was spearheaded by Ripon Mondol, who claimed three wickets, while Rakibul Hasan chipped in with two key breakthroughs.
With nerves of steel in the super over and a gritty all-round performance, Pakistan Shaheens capped off the tournament in style, lifting the Asia Cup Rising Stars title in memorable fashion.
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