Pakistan secured a narrow victory over Bangladesh in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025. The match’s spotlight was, however, on Saim Ayub, who continued an undesirable streak by registering his sixth duck of the year in T20I matches. His disappointing performance saw him equal the dubious record for the most ducks by a player from a full member nation in a calendar year, matching Zimbabwe’s Richard Ngarava.
As Pakistan took to bat first in the match, Saim Ayub was brought in following Sahibzada Farhan’s early dismissal but failed to contribute, getting out after three deliveries without scoring. Despite this setback, Pakistan managed to post a total of 135 runs, thanks to key contributions from Mohammad Haris, who scored a valuable 31 runs, and Mohammad Nawaz with 25 runs.
When it was Bangladesh’s turn to bat, Pakistan’s bowling lineup, featuring impressive performances from bowlers like Shaheen and Haris, restricted them to 124 runs, securing an 11-run win and ensuring Pakistan’s place in the Asia Cup final.
After the match, Pakistan’s captain, Salman Ali Agha, commented on the team’s effort and resilience. He praised the overall contribution of his team and highlighted the bowlers’ exceptional performance. Agha emphasized the importance of fielding, attributing improvements to the hard work under coach Shane’s guidance, reflecting a team ethos where solid fielding is crucial to their strategy.
Overall, despite individual setbacks such as Ayub’s ongoing struggle, Pakistan demonstrated team cohesion and determination, signaling potential for even better performance in the upcoming final. The team’s resilience and alternative contributors underscore their depth and ability to overcome challenges, positioning them strongly as they approach the culmination of the tournament.