• Pakistan defeats Bangladesh by 11 runs, reaching the Asia Cup final.
• Shaheen Afridi shines with bat and ball, securing the player of the match title.
• The final against India marks the first Asia Cup clash between the two rivals.

Pakistan triumphed over Bangladesh by 11 runs in a tense Super Fours match on Thursday, setting the stage for a highly anticipated Asia Cup final against India. The match, which was effectively a semi-final, saw Pakistan scoring 135-8 after a shaky start, only to rely on a strong bowling performance to restrict Bangladesh to 124-9. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf each took three wickets to spearhead the bowling attack, with Afridi earning the player of the match award for his all-round performance, which included vital runs down the order as well as decisive wickets.

Pakistan had to overcome early batting woes, finding themselves at 46-4 before a push from the lower order helped set a competitive target. During Bangladesh's response, Afridi started strong, dismissing key batsmen and applying pressure that led to their downfall. Despite Saif Hassan's early contributions, Bangladesh struggled against a disciplined Pakistani bowling attack, demonstrating a remarkable capability to turn the tide in crucial matches. Captain Salman Agha acknowledged, "If we can win these kinds of games, then we must be a special team," reflecting on their resilience.

The upcoming final against India will be particularly significant as the two teams have met twice in this year's tournament, with India securing convincing victories on both occasions. The emotional and political stakes are high, as this final marks the first time that these long-time rivals will clash in an Asia Cup final since the tournament's inception in 1984. Shaheen Shah Afridi has expressed confidence, stating that the Green Shirts are "ready to beat India" if they meet in the final, promising a thrilling encounter.