Asia Cup won by Pakistan in a super over against Bangladesh

Super Over Decider! Pakistan A wins the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars final against Bangladesh A after a dramatic tied match. Full coverage of the final showdown.

Pakistan Clinches Asia Cup Rising Stars Title After Super Over Heartbreak for Bangladesh

Doha, Qatar – November 23, 2025

In a final that will be etched into the history of the ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, Pakistan A (Pakistan Shaheens) held their nerve to defeat Bangladesh A in a dramatic Super Over finish at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha. The victory crowned Pakistan as the champions, securing their third title in this emerging talents tournament, but only after a captivating contest that saw both teams tied on a score of 125 at the end of the regulation 20 overs.

The final was a showcase of pressure cricket, where a low-scoring thriller masked the high stakes and the exceptional bowling on display. The tension and drama escalated with every over, culminating in the ultimate tie-breaker, the Super Over, which eventually went Pakistan’s way.

Pakistan’s Innings: A Battle of Resilience (125 All Out)

Having been asked to bat first after Bangladesh A won the toss, Pakistan A’s innings got off to a disastrous start. The in-form top order was rattled immediately, with a run-out on the very first ball followed by another quick wicket, leaving the Shaheens struggling at 2/2.

The mid-innings recovery was led by Maaz Sadaqat (23 off 18) and Arafat Minhas (25 off 23), who displayed admirable composure to absorb the pressure and build a semblance of a partnership. However, just when momentum seemed to be shifting, Bangladesh’s spinners, particularly Rakibul Hasan, struck crucial blows, removing both set batters and keeping the run rate in check. Rakibul was instrumental in the middle overs, halting Pakistan’s rebuilding efforts.

It took a late surge from the lower-order batsman Saad Masood, who top-scored with a vital 38 off 26 balls, to push Pakistan past the 100-run mark. Masood’s aggressive intent was a breath of fresh air, but the death overs belonged entirely to Bangladesh’s pace spearhead, Ripon Mondol. Mondol produced a sensational spell in the 19th over, delivering perfect yorkers to claim a hat-trick of wickets, dismantling Pakistan’s tail-end and restricting them to a modest 125 all out in exactly 20 overs. Mondol’s spell of 3/25 was arguably the highlight of the first innings, setting up a very chaseable target.

Bangladesh’s Chase: A Late Stutter Leads to a Tie

Chasing 126 for their maiden title, Bangladesh A’s innings was a mirror image of Pakistan’s—tense, cautious, and ultimately fraught with late drama.

Openers Habibur Rahman Sohan (27 off 17) and Jishan Alam (6 off 4) gave a quick start, providing the early impetus needed. However, the Pakistan bowlers, who had been exceptional all tournament, quickly found their rhythm. The target, though small, became difficult to achieve on the slow Doha pitch, which offered considerable grip for the spin bowlers.

The innings was anchored by key partnerships, but the crucial wickets of established batters at regular intervals kept the required rate climbing. The spin duo of Saad Masood and Sufyan Muqeem choked the flow of runs in the middle overs, capitalizing on the pressure created by the disciplined fast bowlers.

The match reached a thrilling climax with Bangladesh needing just a handful of runs in the final over with wickets in hand. However, the nerve-wracking pressure of the final manifested in a late collapse. With the scores level on 125, the final delivery resulted in a dramatic run-out opportunity, which, though contested, ultimately ensured the scores remained tied, pushing the contest into a Super Over.

The Super Over: Pakistan‘s Nerves of Steel Prevail

The Super Over was a high-stakes shootout. Pakistan A batted first, with their batsmen managing to post 12 runs on the board, a challenging total considering the match conditions and the high-pressure environment.

Handed the ball to defend 13 runs, Pakistan’s designated bowler—likely a key fast bowler who had shone in the tournament—executed the plan perfectly. The Bangladesh A batters, aiming for boundaries, struggled to connect against the sharp bowling and tight fielding. The pressure proved too immense, and Pakistan successfully restricted Bangladesh A to a lower score, clinching the one-over eliminator and the coveted ACC Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 title.

The final was a testament to the future of Asian cricket, highlighting the exceptional talents of players like Pakistan’s Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood, and Bangladesh’s Ripon Mondol and Habibur Rahman Sohan. While the loss was heart-breaking for the Bangladesh side, who had performed brilliantly throughout the tournament, Pakistan’s ability to defend a low score and execute under extreme pressure in the Super Over showcased a true champion’s mindset.

🇵🇰 Pakistan A Innings: Total 125 (All Out in 20 Overs)

🇧🇩 Bangladesh A Innings: Total 125 (9 Wickets in 20 Overs)

🇧🇩 Bangladesh A Super Over Innings: Total 6 (2 Wickets in 0.4 Overs)

🇵🇰 Pakistan A Super Over Innings: Total 7 (0 Wickets in 0.4 Overs)

Final Result

Pakistan A won the Super Over by 3 runs (They scored 7 runs in 4 balls, while Bangladesh A were restricted to 6 runs in 4 balls).