Pakistan and Bangladesh face off tonight in Dubai in a virtual semifinal of the Asia Cup 2025. Both sides have lost to India in the Super-4 stage and now only one can book a ticket to Sunday’s final against the unbeaten Men in Blue.
A Do-or-Die Battle
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Bangladesh fell short against India on Wednesday, while Pakistan also slipped against the same opponent earlier. This makes today’s game a must-win for both teams – lose here, and it’s the end of the road.
Toss and Match Timing
The match will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Toss is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST, with the first ball bowled at 8:00 PM IST. With dew expected later in the evening, captains will have to think carefully before making a call — chasing under lights could be easier.
Where to Watch
Fans in India can catch the live telecast on Sony Sports Network channels. For online viewers, the match will be live-streamed on the Sony Liv app and website. A valid subscription is required. The game will not be shown on DD Sports as it only airs India’s matches.
Pitch and Conditions
Unlike Wednesday’s India-Bangladesh contest, the surface is expected to assist spinners more this time. A slower outfield will only add to the challenge for batters. That could tilt the balance slightly towards Pakistan, whose bowling attack – led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf – thrives on exploiting such conditions.
Head-to-Head: Pakistan vs Bangladesh in T20Is
| Teams | Matches Played | Pakistan Wins | Bangladesh Wins |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAK vs BAN | 25 | 20 | 5 |
Team News
Pakistan Squad: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Safiyan Maqim, Khushdil Shah, Hasan Nawaz.
Bangladesh Squad: Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Zakir Ali (wk), Mohammad Saifuddin, Rishad Hossain, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Litton Das, Mahedi Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nurul Hasan.
If Pakistan win, cricket fans will witness a dream India vs Pakistan final on September 28 in Dubai. If Bangladesh triumph, it will be their first-ever T20 Asia Cup final clash against India — a historic moment for the Tigers.
