The Super Four match of the Asia Cup 2025 was fiercely contested between Pakistan and Bangladesh in Dubai. Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first, restricting Pakistan to 135/8.
However, the turning point of the match was a pair of dropped catches, which led to Pakistan’s 11-run victory.
Players like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Nawaz were given a new lease of life, and Pakistan ultimately qualified for the Asia Cup final against India for the first time.
This match was a virtual semi-final, where the losing team would be eliminated.
Bangladesh’s bowling was initially excellent. Taskin Ahmed took three wickets, and Rishad Hussain two. Pakistan were reduced to 51/5 in 12 overs.
But then, in the 12th over, Nurul Hasan and Mahedi Hasan dropped Shaheen’s catch. Shaheen was on just one run, but he went on to score 19 runs in 13 balls, hitting two sixes.
Parvez Hussain Emon then dropped Mohammad Nawaz for 0. Nawaz smashed 25 runs in 15 balls, hitting two sixes and a four.
Pakistan added 80 runs in the last eight overs, which proved to be a match-changer. Bangladesh were reduced to 124/9, with Shaheen taking 3/17 and Haris Rauf taking 3/33.
Bangladesh coach reveals dropped catches cost them
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons clearly stated after the match that dropped catches and poor decisions were the reasons for their failure to chase 136 runs.
He said, “When we dropped catches of Shaheen and Nawaz, the game changed.”
Simmons further explained, “Before that, we were in control. Some catches maybe [related to lights], but I don’t think the catches we dropped had anything to do with lights.”
Had the catches been taken, Pakistan would have scored 43 runs less. Simmons admitted that the lights may have caused some problems, but his missed chances had nothing to do with it. This defeat eliminated Bangladesh from the tournament.
India’s fielding a concern ahead of Asia Cup final
All eyes are now on the India-Pakistan final, which will be the first Asia Cup final. But India is also worried about its fielding. In the Super Fours, 12 catches were dropped in five matches, with a catching percentage of just 67.5. Only Hong Kong dropped more.
After the 41-run win against Bangladesh, spinner Varun Chakravarthy spoke openly,
“At this level, you can’t make excuses. As a team, we definitely need to start catching those catches because we’re qualifying for the final. We should be taking these catches, but if you ask me about the fire rings, it comes into your eyes, something like that. It’s a bit distracting.”
Chakravarthy cited the stadium’s “rings of fire” as an excuse, citing them as eyestrain. Four catches were also dropped in the match against Pakistan.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav jokingly said,
“Fielding coach T Dilip has emailed the players to come in front of him.”
Fielding coach T Dilip has emailed the players for a session. Suryakumar’s poor form is also a cause for concern, but the team is preparing for the final.
The final will be held in Dubai on September 28. Pakistan’s coach has warned India, while Shoaib Akhtar revealed the formula for victory, although fielding will again be the deciding factor in the match.
