Bangladesh’s stand-in skipper Jaker Ali has sounded upbeat ahead of the do-or-die Super Four clash against Pakistan, insisting his side has what it takes to bounce back and book a place in the Asia Cup 2025 final against India.
Speaking after Bangladesh’s 41-run defeat to India on Wednesday, Ali acknowledged the team’s shortcomings but stressed on taking positives from the contest.
“It’s quite surprising, but I take the preparation positively. All the credit goes to the boys. After ten overs, we adjusted brilliantly. We can take a lot of lessons from this game, and now we have another important match tomorrow,” the wicketkeeper-batter said.
Ali, who has led Bangladesh with composure during this campaign, underlined that his side remains focused on the bigger picture.
“We have to keep in mind that we can win tomorrow and make it to the final. Let’s see what kind of combination we choose, but we will give our best on the field,” he added.
India storm into final
India, the 2016 champions, became the first side to seal their spot in Sunday’s final after back-to-back wins in the Super Four stage. Abhishek Sharma’s explosive 75 off 37 balls set the tone as India piled up 168/6. Contributions from Shubman Gill (29) and Hardik Pandya (37 off 29) ensured a challenging total at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Bangladesh’s bowling unit showed flashes of brilliance, with Rishad Hossain picking up 2/27, while Mustafizur Rahman, Mohammad Saifuddin and Tanzim Sakib bagged one wicket each.
In reply, Bangladesh faltered under pressure despite Saif Hassan’s valiant 69 off 51 balls. India’s bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav (3 wickets), restricted the Tigers to 127 all out in 19.3 overs.
Pakistan vs Bangladesh: virtual semi-final
India’s win also confirmed Sri Lanka’s elimination, leaving Friday’s clash between Pakistan and Bangladesh as a virtual semi-final. The stakes couldn’t be higher: the winner will join India in the grand finale on Sunday at the same venue.
With Pakistan looking to prove their firepower and Bangladesh seeking to turn belief into results, cricket fans can expect nothing short of a thriller in Dubai.
