Pakistan Shaheens claimed the Rising Stars Asia Cup title in Doha after edging Bangladesh A in a tense Super Over, ending Bangladesh’s hopes of a first title at this level. Ripon Mondol and Rakibul Hasan had earlier set up the contest with outstanding spells to restrict the Shaheens to 125, but Bangladesh’s chase faltered before a late revival forced the match into a dramatic finish.
Bangladesh’s reply began brightly through Habibur Rahman Sohan and Jishan Alam, but the top and middle order collapsed against tight spin bowling. Yasir Ali, Mahidul Islam Ankon and Akbar Ali fell cheaply, leaving the innings wobbling. SM Meherob and Rakibul briefly steadied things, scoring 19 and 24 respectively, before both departed while trying to lift the run rate.
That left Bangladesh needing a near-miracle in the closing stages. Ripon Mondol and Abdul Gaffar Saqlain produced one. With 27 required from the final two overs, the pair smashed three sixes off Shahid Aziz in the 19th over to take 20 runs, cutting the target to seven from six balls. Ripon collected three runs from the first two deliveries of the final over, Saqlain added another, and they squeezed two more to tie the match at 125 and take it into a Super Over.
Bangladesh could not make the opportunity count. Sohan and Saqlain managed just six runs, Saqlain falling for a duck on the second ball. In reply, Maaz Sadaqat and Saad Masood guided Pakistan home with a leg bye, a single, a boundary and another single. It sealed Pakistan Shaheens’ third Rising Stars Asia Cup title and their first final win over Bangladesh at this level since 2019.
Chasing 126, Bangladesh made an energetic start. Sohan and Jishan struck 21 in the first two overs before Jishan was trapped leg before by Arafat Minhas for 6. Sohan attacked Saad Masood with two fours and a six but was caught at short square leg for 26. Ankon, making his T20 debut, fell leg before wicket in the following over for a duck.
Akbar Ali was bowled by Sufiyan Muqeem for 2, and Yasir Ali was caught at short cover off Maaz Sadaqat for 8. Mahfuzur Rahman Rabbi and Mrittunjoy Chowdhury both departed quickly, leaving Bangladesh deep in trouble.
Meherob and Rakibul rebuilt with a useful stand before Meherob holed out for 19. Rakibul followed for 24, leaving Ripon and Saqlain to mount the final-overs rescue that brought the scores level at the end of 20 overs.
Put in to bat, Pakistan lost Yasir Khan to a direct hit from Saqlain off the very first ball. Meherob bowled Mohammad Faik in the second over, and the early wickets kept the Shaheens on the back foot. Haji Ghuri and Ghazi tried to steady the innings but Rakibul and Ripon maintained the pressure.
Rakibul removed Ghazi for 9, while Maaz Sadaqat, who had been in fine form throughout the tournament, was bowled by Jishan Mondol for 23. Arafat Minhas made 25 before falling to Saqlain’s slower ball. Irfan also departed cheaply. Saad Masood’s late 38 off 26 balls lifted Pakistan to 125. Ripon finished with three wickets, Rakibul with two.
