The Pakistan Shaheens were crowned champions of the Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 in the most dramatic fashion possible, defeating Bangladesh A in a heart-stopping final that was decided by a Super Over after the teams were tied on 125 runs each at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium on Sunday night.
This victory marks Pakistan’s third title in this prestigious Asian Cricket Council development tournament, with captain Muhammad Irfan Khan etching his name alongside previous victorious skippers Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Haris. The Shaheens completed a flawless campaign, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament with victories over Oman, India ‘A’, UAE, and Sri Lanka ‘A’ en route to the final.
With the match tied after 40 nerve-shredding overs, the title was to be decided by a one-over eliminator. Bangladesh A batted first but crumbled under the pressure of the occasion and the precision of pacer Ahmed Daniyal. Daniyal struck with his first and third deliveries, sandwiching a wide, to restrict Bangladesh to just six runs.
Chasing a modest seven for victory, the Shaheens displayed ice-cool nerves. Saad Masood, who had already played a pivotal role with the ball and in the first innings, held his nerve. After two singles and a leg-bye, he sealed the championship by smashing the fourth ball for a boundary towards deep backward square leg, sparking wild celebrations in the Pakistani camp.
The final was a tale of stunning collapses and remarkable rearguard actions. Earlier, put in to bat, the Pakistan Shaheens themselves found batting difficult, stumbling to 25 for three. A fighting 23 from Player of the Tournament Maaz Sadaqat and a steady 25 from Arafat Minhas provided some stability, but it was Saad Masood’s blistering 38 from 26 balls (3x4s, 3x6s) that propelled the team to a competitive, albeit below-par, total of 125 all out.
In response, Bangladesh A’s chase was derailed by a phenomenal spell from Pakistan’s spin quartet. After a rapid start, Sufyan Moqim (3-11) and Arafat Minhas (2-5) wreaked havoc, reducing Bangladesh to a precarious 53 for 7. Just as the game seemed lost, a fighting 37-run stand between SM Meherob (19) and Rakibul Hasan (24) offered hope.
The drama peaked in the final two overs. With 30 needed from 16 balls, the last-wicket pair of Abdul Gaffar Saqlain (16) and Ripon Mondol (11) launched a stunning assault, plundering 20 runs from the penultimate over to leave seamer Ahmed Daniyal with the task of defending seven runs in the final over.
In a display of nerve, Daniyal conceded just six runs from the over, forcing the game into a Super Over and setting the stage for his and Saad Masood’s final act of heroics.
The victory was built on a complete team performance. The spinners, led by Sufyan Moqim and Arafat Minhas, had set up the win, while Saad Masood’s all-round brilliance (38 runs, 1 wicket) and Ahmed Daniyal’s death bowling proved decisive. The unbeaten tournament run and the ability to win under extreme pressure bode well for the future of Pakistani cricket.
Scores in Brief:
Final – Pakistan Shaheens beat Bangladesh A in a Super Over
Pakistan Shaheens: 125 all out, 20 overs (Saad Masood 38, Arafat Minhas 25, Maaz Sadaqat 23; Ripon Mondol 3-25, Rakibul Hasan 2-16)
Bangladesh A: 125-9, 20 overs (Habibur Rahman 26, Rakibul Hasan 24; Sufyan Moqim 3-11, Arafat Minhas 2-5, Ahmed Daniyal 2-11)
Player of the Match: Ahmed Daniyal (Pakistan Shaheens)
Player of the Tournament: Maaz Sadaqat (Pakistan Shaheens)
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