Pakistan to take on Bangladesh in Dubai today for Asia Cup 2025 final spot

Bangladesh’s Parvez Hossain Emon (right) and Jaker Ali (left) shake hands with Pakistan’s Mohammad Haris (second left) and Saim Ayub at the end of the first Twenty20 international cricket match between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on July 20, 2025. (AFP/File)
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Updated 25 September 2025
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Pakistan to take on Bangladesh in Dubai today for Asia Cup 2025 final spot

  • The Green Shirts will play India in the final if they beat Bangladesh
  • T20 format tournament is underway in the UAE from Sept. 9-28

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on Bangladesh today, Thursday, at the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four decider in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.

The Asia Cup is being played in the Twenty20 format from Sept. 9-28.

Three teams including Pakistan, India and Bangladesh remain in the tournament following the elimination of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Oman, the UAE and Hong Kong.

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five wickets this week in the Abu Dhabi clash and will compete with Bangladesh for the final spot against India.

“The Pakistan cricket team has arrived in Dubai for its match against Bangladesh,” the PCB said in a social media post a day earlier.

“The match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will begin tomorrow at 6:30pm local time.”

Pakistan hasn’t won two matches in a row in this tournament so far.

The Green Shirts last played Bangladesh in June and beat them during the latter’s tour to Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have met twice in this edition of the regional competition, but the neighbors have never played against each other in an Asia Cup final.

If both teams reach the final, India will once again start as strong favorites having won 12 of 15 T20Is between the two countries.

India have also won the last seven internationals against Pakistan since September 2022, including four T20Is and three one-day internationals.

Squads:

Pakistan (probable): Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (captain), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Bangladesh (probable): Tanzid Hasan, Saif Hassan, Litton Das (captain and wicketkeeper), Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman


Saudi Arabia ‘elevating’ women’s cricket with new T20 tournament

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Saudi Arabia ‘elevating’ women’s cricket with new T20 tournament

  • Groundbreaking partnership to feature players from 35 countries
  • Annual Women’s T20 World Challenge marks new chapter for women’s sport, says Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud

RIYADH: The Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation’s new five-year partnership with FairBreak Global to host a Women’s World T20 Challenge in Saudi Arabia from 2026, will be “elevating” the game for females in the Kingdom.

This was the comment made by SACF Chairman Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud in a press release recently. “This partnership represents another step in our journey to build a world-class cricket ecosystem in the Kingdom,” he said.

“By bringing a global women’s tournament to Saudi Arabia, we are not only elevating the sport, but also opening new pathways for talent development, private-sector participation, and international investment — fully aligned with our vision for the future of cricket and the ambitions of Vision 2030,” he added.

The event will be the first professional women’s T20 league to take place in the Kingdom.

The challenge will bring together players from more than 35 countries, including many from emerging cricket nations.

“This partnership is more than a tournament, it is a long-term investment in the future of women’s sport in Saudi Arabia,” said Tariq Ziad Sagga, CEO of the SACF.

“We are proud to welcome the world’s leading players while creating new pathways for Saudi girls and women to participate in sport at every level. This reflects our values of growth, ambition and global collaboration,” he added.

The event will also be made accessible to global audiences through live broadcast and digital streaming, said the SACF.

“We are proud to partner with Saudi Arabia on what we believe is a truly significant step for FairBreak and for women’s cricket worldwide,” said R.V. Venkatesh, MD at FairBreak Cricket Ltd.

“Saudi Arabia offers not only a world-class stage, but also a long-term opportunity to grow the game, support emerging talent, and bring people together through sport. This is about building something meaningful, with real momentum and global relevance,” added Venkatesh.

“This is more than a cricket tournament. It’s a statement that Saudi Arabia is ready to lead globally in sport, innovation, and inclusion,” said Taha Coburn-Kutay, director at FairBreak.

“As we invest in infrastructure and access, we are also investing in the future of women in cricket and inviting the world to experience a new, modern Saudi Arabia,” said Coburn-Kutay.