In a tense Super Four contest of the Asia Cup 2025 at Dubai, where the winner would move on to face India in the final, Pakistan’s pace spearhead Haris Rauf unleashed a fiery spell that broke Bangladesh’s resistance and steered Pakistan to an 11-run victory. Haris Rauf‘s figures of 3/33 in four overs, marked by raw pace and searing accuracy, shattered Bangladesh’s middle order and complemented Shaheen Afridi’s all-round brilliance. The win not only dumped Bangladesh out of the tournament but also booked Pakistan’s place in a much-anticipated final against India.
Pakistan Bat First, Build a Modest Total
Put into bat first, Pakistan’s innings started on shaky ground. Bangladesh’s new-ball bowlers struck early, leaving the Men in Green reeling at 27/2 in the powerplay. Boundaries were hard to come by, and the pressure of dot balls forced rash strokes.
It took contributions from the middle and lower order to steady the ship. Mohammad Haris (31 off 23 balls) and Mohammad Nawaz (25 off 15) stitched together vital runs, lifting Pakistan towards respectability. Shaheen Afridi (19 off 14) also added crucial late-order runs, ensuring the innings didn’t collapse entirely.
Still, Pakistan’s final score of 135/8 in 20 overs felt slightly under par, given the conditions. Bangladesh would have fancied their chances of chasing it down until Haris Rauf and company came in to bowl.
Haris Rauf’s Thunderbolts Break the Backbone
When Haris Rauf came into the attack, Bangladesh were still in the contest. What followed was a display of raw aggression and hostile pace that derailed their chase. He bowled with venom, hitting hard lengths and mixing in clever slower deliveries to keep the batters guessing.
Haris Rauf’s first strike came with the dismissal of Towhid Hridoy, undone by sheer pace and bounce. Later, he ripped through Bangladesh’s middle order, removing Nurul Hasan and Jaker Ali to leave the innings in tatters.
His spell of 3/33 may not reflect the fear he generated, but it was decisive. Each wicket came at a crucial juncture, denying Bangladesh the partnerships they desperately needed. With every fiery delivery, the asking rate climbed and the Tigers’ confidence ebbed away.
Rauf’s thunderbolts were perfectly complemented by Shaheen Afridi’s 3/17, which ensured Bangladesh never recovered from their early blows. Saim Ayub (2/16) also chipped in with wickets, giving Pakistan an enviable three-pronged pace attack that hunted in tandem.
By the 17th over, Bangladesh had slipped into desperation mode. Shamim’s cameo was ended by Afridi, and with Rauf returning to pick up another scalp, the chase collapsed. They were eventually bundled out for 124 in 20 overs, falling short by 11 runs.
Crucial Win For Pakistan
For Pakistan, the victory was a statement of intent. Defending a below par score required both discipline and firepower, and their pacers delivered in spades. Haris Rauf’s performance reaffirmed his reputation as one of T20 cricket’s most lethal fast bowlers capable of turning matches with his sheer pace and wicket taking ability.
It also highlighted Pakistan’s depth, with Afridi, Rauf, and Saim Ayub working as a unit to dismantle Bangladesh. The win not only carried them into the Asia Cup final but also gave them the psychological boost of defending under pressure, a trait they’ll need against India.
On a night when Pakistan needed their bowlers to stand tall, Haris Rauf’s thunderbolts wrecked Bangladesh’s hopes. His fiery pace, coupled with Shaheen Afridi’s brilliance, turned a modest total into a match winning one. For Pakistan, it was a victory born of grit, aggression, and world-class fast bowling. For Bangladesh, it was another bitter exit, undone by their inability to handle Pakistan’s pace barrage.