Doha, Qatar – The Pakistan Shaheens secured the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 title yesterday, defeating Bangladesh A in a thrilling Super Over finish at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium. The closely contested match ended in a tie after both teams posted 125 runs in their 20 overs, setting the stage for a dramatic one-over decider. This victory marks a significant achievement for Pakistan’s emerging cricket talent.
The Shaheens prevailed in the Super Over by successfully chasing a target of seven runs, hitting the winning run off the penultimate ball. The Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament provides a crucial platform for young players from across Asia to gain experience and showcase their abilities against international competition, fostering the development of future stars in the sport.
Shaheens Triumph in Close Asia Cup Rising Stars Final
The final match was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams. Bangladesh A elected to bat first in the Super Over but faltered under pressure, managing only six runs with limited contributions from the batsmen. Pakistan, needing just seven for victory, held their nerve and completed the chase with a ball to spare.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s innings got off to a disastrous start, losing Yasir Khan on the very first ball. Mohammad Faiq followed swiftly, leaving the team reeling at 2 for 2.
Resilient Middle Order Stabilizes Pakistan
Maaz Sadaqat anchored the innings with a determined 23 off 18 balls, and Ghazi Ghori added a valuable 9 runs. However, consistent breakthroughs from the Bangladesh bowlers kept the scoring in check. Arafat Minhas contributed 25 off 23, but it was Saad Masood’s late-innings surge of 38 off 26 balls, featuring three boundaries of each type, that pushed Pakistan to a competitive total of 125.
Ripon Mondol was the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 25 runs, while Rakibul Hasan supported him with 2 for 16.
Bangladesh A’s response began promisingly, but a middle-order collapse threatened to derail their chase. The score slipped from a comfortable 36 for 1 to a precarious 48 for 5 as Pakistan’s bowlers gained momentum.
Habibur Rahman attempted to rebuild the innings with a quickfire 26 off 17 deliveries, but his dismissal added further pressure. Rakibul Hasan (24 off 21) and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain (16 not out off 12) then forged a crucial 29-run partnership to revive the chase.
Mondol’s late contribution of an unbeaten 11 runs proved vital, as he skillfully guided the ball to tie the scores at 125 for 9, forcing the Super Over. The performance of the Bangladesh team highlighted the growing strength of emerging cricket talent in the region.
Arafat Minhas showcased his all-round abilities for Pakistan, taking 2 wickets for just 5 runs. Sufiyan Muqeem and Ahmed Daniyal also impressed with the ball, each claiming 2 wickets for 11 runs. These bowling performances were instrumental in creating the opportunity for the Super Over. The tournament also helped identify key players for potential inclusion in the senior national teams.
The Asia Cup format, including the Rising Stars competition, aims to broaden the base of competitive cricket within the continent. This edition featured promising young players from various Asian nations, providing them exposure to a high level of competition, and serving as a development pathway. The results highlighted the complex challenges youth cricket systems must face to nurture consistent performances.
Looking ahead, the Pakistan Shaheens’ victory serves as motivation for other emerging teams striving for success in the Asia Cup. Further editions of the Rising Stars tournament will likely focus on refining the selection process and enhancing the quality of competition through increased scouting and talent identification initiatives. The selection process for future Asia Cup squads will be closely watched to see how the performances from the Rising Stars tournament influence team choices.
