Pakistan Shaheens crowned Asia Cup Rising Stars champions

Pakistan Shaheens defeated Bangladesh 'A' in the Super Over to clinch the ACC Men's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 trophy at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on Sunday night.

Bangladesh batted first in the Super Over, and lost the first wicket on the second ball at the score of one. Daniyal then bowled a wide delivery that gave away five runs, but took the wicket on the next ball as Pakistan Shaheens required seven runs to win the match.

The green shirts began with a single on the first delivery, which brought Maaz Sadaqat on strike, who also managed a single before Saad Masood struck a boundary as Pakistan needed just one run from three balls.

Masood then inside-edged the final delivery to secure the winning run and seal the trophy for the Shaheens.

Bangladesh 'A' Innings

Earlier, in the main match, Bangladesh fell agonizingly short while chasing 126, finishing at 125-9 in 20 overs.

Openers Habibur Rahman Sohan and Jishan Alam provided a solid 22-run start before Arafat Minhas dismissed Jishan for six off four balls.

In the next over, Habibur Rahman was out for 26 off 13 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

Arafat continued the pressure, trapping Mahidul Islam Ankon for a five-ball duck in the fifth over, reducing Bangladesh to 36-3.

Wickets kept tumbling as Sufiyan Muqeem dismissed skipper Akbar Ali for two off 10, and Maaz Sadaqat removed Yasir Ali for eight. In the 11th over, Sufiyan struck twice, removing Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 53-7.

A fighting 37-run partnership between Rakibul Hasan and SM Meherob revived Bangladesh, and took the score to 88-7.

Ahmed Daniyal broke the stand, dismissing Meherob for 19 and then Rakibul for 24, pushing Bangladesh to 96-9 in 17.2 overs.

Tailenders Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and Ripon Mondol produced a late surge, smashing three sixes off Shahid Aziz, leaving them seven runs away from the victory with six balls to spare.

However, Bangladesh managed only six runs in the last over, scoring a single off the final ball when two were required, forcing a Super Over.

Pakistan Shaheens' Innings

Batting first, Pakistan Shaheens were bowled out for 125 in 20 overs, with Saad Masood being the top-scorer with 38 runs.

The green shirts began their innings on the worst possible note. Opener Yasir Khan was run out for a duck on the very first delivery. The collapse deepened in the next over. Mohammad Faiq was bowled for a second-ball duck, leaving the side reeling at 2-2 in just 1.1 overs.

Wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori and Maaz Sadaqat attempted to steady the innings with a 23-run stand before Ghori was dismissed by Rakibul Hasan.

The Shaheens' woes increased further when Maaz Sadaqat, the event's top scorer, fell to Jishan Alam for 23 off 18 balls with two fours and a six, reducing his team to 49-4 in the seventh over.

Arafat Minhas and captain Irfan Niazi then led a brief recovery, helping Pakistan cross the 50-run mark.

However, their partnership was broken when Ghaffar Saqlain removed Arafat for a valuable 25 off 23 balls. Rakibul struck again, sending Irfan back for nine off 22 deliveries. Saad Masood offered resistance with an impressive 38 off 26 balls, hitting three fours and three sixes.

For Bangladesh, Ripon Mondol was the standout bowler with three wickets, Rakibul Hasan picked two, while SM Meherob, Alam, and Saqlain picked one apiece.