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Pakistan Shaheens were crowned champions of the Men’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 after defeating Bangladesh A in a gripping final that went right down to a Super Over at the West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha on Sunday night. The dramatic finish capped off a tournament where the Shaheens remained unbeaten, previously overcoming Oman, India A, UAE, and Sri Lanka A. This victory marks Pakistan’s third title in the Asian Cricket Council’s flagship development competition for ‘A’ teams, putting the name of captain Muhammad Irfan Khan alongside former winning skippers Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Haris.
A Super Over for the Ages
With both teams locked at 125 after 20 overs, the final went into a Super Over. Bangladesh A batted first but were rattled by Ahmed Daniyal’s pinpoint bowling. After conceding a five-run wide past wicketkeeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Daniyal struck twice, dismissing a batter on each side of the wide. Habibur Rahman managed a single off the opening delivery, but Bangladesh A could face only three legal balls before their over ended at a modest score.
Chasing seven runs for victory, Pakistan wrapped it up in just four balls. Saad Masood played the defining stroke of the contest — a crisp four toward deep backward square leg off Ripon Mondol’s third delivery. Two singles and a leg-bye were enough for the Shaheens to seal a memorable title win.
Bangladesh A Fight Back From Deep Trouble
Earlier in regular play, Bangladesh A looked down and out while chasing 125, collapsing to 53 for 7 in only 10.3 overs. The top order disintegrated under the pressure created by Pakistan’s disciplined spin attack. But a determined eighth-wicket partnership worth 37 runs between SM Meherob (19 off 21) and Rakibul Hasan (24 off 21) revived Bangladesh’s hopes. Their counter-attacking strokes pushed the score to 90 for 8, leaving the contest hanging delicately.
Rakibul’s dismissal in the 18th over, at the hands of Ahmed Daniyal — who was later named Player of the Match — left Bangladesh A needing 30 runs off the final 16 balls. Their last pair, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain (16* off 12) and Mondol (11* off 9), showed remarkable composure under pressure. Together, they smashed 20 runs in the penultimate over, including three sixes off Shahid Aziz. The situation boiled down to Bangladesh needing seven off the final over.
Daniyal returned to defend the total once more. After conceding a double and two singles off the first three deliveries, he bowled a crucial dot ball. With three needed off two balls, Bangladesh scampered for two leg-byes off both remaining deliveries — just enough to push the match into a Super Over but not enough to seal the win outright.
Pakistan’s Spinners Set Up the Finale
Pakistan’s bowling unit, especially the spinners, were exceptional in stifling Bangladesh A after they got off to an early flurry, hitting 22 runs in their first 2.3 overs. Arafat Minhas and Saad Masood removed the top three batters, triggering the collapse. Then came the turning point: Sufyan Moqim and Maaz Sadaqat tore through the middle order with skill and control.
Sufyan was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3 for 11, while Maaz claimed 1 for 7. Their combined effort saw Bangladesh A slip from a promising start to the brink of defeat. Sufyan’s eleventh over was decisive, as he struck twice to leave Bangladesh A in tatters. Daniyal further tightened the screws with excellent figures of 2 for 11 from four overs.
Shaheens Struggle Early but Recover Well
Pakistan Shaheens had their own troubles earlier in the day when they were sent in to bat first. They stumbled to 25 for 3 inside the powerplay. Player of the tournament, Maaz Sadaqat, attempted to rebuild with a spirited 23 off 18 balls, including two boundaries and a six, but his dismissal deepened the pressure.
Arafat Minhas then stepped in with a steadying 25 off 23 balls, featuring four crisp boundaries. His stay at the crease provided Pakistan with the breathing space they desperately needed. However, when he departed with the score at 64, the Shaheens were still a long way from a competitive total.
Enter Saad Masood, whose all-round brilliance would eventually shape the match. His 26-ball 38 — containing three fours and three sixes — formed the backbone of Pakistan’s innings. His seventh-wicket stand of 41 with Shahid Aziz (9 off 10) proved vital in pushing the total toward respectability. A late boundary from Sufyan Moqim ensured Pakistan posted a defendable 125.
A Fitting End to a Thrilling Tournament
In the end, Pakistan’s resilience, depth, and nerve in pressure situations earned them the title. With the bowlers stepping up, key partnerships rescuing difficult moments, and clutch performances in the Super Over, the Shaheens once again proved why they are among the strongest ‘A’ sides in world cricket.
