The 2025 Asia Cup Rising Stars final delivered everything a high-stakes tournament decider should: pressure, chaos, a dramatic comeback, and ultimately a Super Over that crowned the Pakistan Shaheens as champions on 23 November in Doha. It was a gripping contest that swung wildly across 40 overs before Pakistan finally sealed the trophy with clarity and composure when it mattered most.
Pakistan’s regulation-time total of 125 was far from commanding, the kind of score that usually leaves a team vulnerable in a final. Their innings never fully ignited; instead it was a steady, cautious effort shaped by Bangladesh A’s disciplined bowling and energetic fielding. Yet the Shaheens knew that with the right execution, even a modest score could be defended on a slow surface.
Bangladesh’s chase began in shambles. They lurched to 53 for 7 in barely half their overs, undone by sharp seam movement, poor shot selection and Pakistan’s relentless pressure. At that stage the contest looked finished — a slow fade to a predictable ending. But Bangladesh’s lower order refused to surrender. Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and Ripon Mondol launched a stunning counterattack, targeting the death overs with clean hitting and audacity. Their assault produced three sixes in the penultimate over, flipping the momentum and dragging the game into a Super Over when a result in normal time had seemed impossible.
The final act, however, belonged entirely to Pakistan. Bangladesh batted first in the Super Over and stumbled to just six runs, losing two wickets in the process. The star of the moment was fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal, who delivered pinpoint accuracy under suffocating pressure, claiming both wickets and ensuring Bangladesh never built any rhythm.
Chasing seven, Pakistan wasted no time. They sealed the chase in four deliveries, lifting the Rising Stars trophy and extending their dominance in this developmental tournament format. Daniyal was a clear choice for Player of the Match — his calm execution and nerve in the Super Over decided the final.
This title adds to Pakistan’s growing legacy at the Rising Stars level. Their path through the tournament was strong and consistent, with comprehensive wins over Oman, India A, UAE and Sri Lanka A, showcasing their structural depth and the readiness of their emerging players for higher honours. It’s a win that reinforces the health of Pakistan’s talent pipeline and the effectiveness of their development system.
For Bangladesh A, the heartbreak is real, but so is the promise. Their revival from 53 for 7 to level the match showed grit, self-belief and lower-order capability that will serve them well in the future. They now have a blueprint for resilience, and despite the sting of defeat, they leave with valuable experience.
In the end, the final was a pitch-perfect advertisement for the Rising Stars platform: raw, unpredictable and packed with emerging talent capable of delivering elite-level drama. Pakistan held their nerve when it counted; Bangladesh fought until the last ball. It was the kind of finish that reminds cricket fans why the shortest formats can be utterly unforgiving — and utterly unforgettable.
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