Karuppiah Ramakrishnan in Doha
Pakistan Shaheens clinched the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025 in Doha on Sunday, surviving a chaotic final that had everything—collapses, comebacks, yorker carnage, and a Super Over that could shorten anyone’s lifespan.
After choosing to bowl first, Bangladesh A kept Pakistan to 125 all out, thanks largely to Ripon Mondol’s fiery 3/25 and Rakibul Hasan’s tight 2/16. Pakistan’s innings wobbled from ball one, losing Yasir Khan to a run out off the very first delivery. A few overs later, they were 2/2 and auditioning for a batting crisis documentary.
Maaz Sadaqat (23 off 18) and Arafat Minhas (25 off 23) attempted repairs, but the real push came from Saad Masood, who struck a fighting 38 off 26 balls. His knock gave Pakistan something to defend—until Mondol returned in the 19th over like an uninvited wedding guest and took three wickets in four balls, sending Pakistan from 116/6 to 118/9.
Bangladesh A’s chase of 126 began brightly as Habibur Rahman Sohan thumped 26 off 17, but Pakistan’s spinners spun the script back in their favour. From 36/1, Bangladesh suddenly found themselves at 48/5, and then 53/7, courtesy of Sufiyan Muqeem’s superb 3/11.
A 37-run stand between SM Meherob and Rakibul Hasan revived hopes, but once Ahmed Daniyal broke the partnership, Bangladesh A were left needing 36 off 27 balls. The equation worsened until they were 99/9.
Then came the 19th over—the plot twist no one ordered. Abdul Gaffar Saqlain and Ripon Mondol smashed 20 runs, blasting three sixes off missed yorkers and dragging the game to the last over needing just seven. They scraped and scrambled to tie the match, taking it into a Super Over with nerves jangling on all sides.
In the one-over shootout, Ahmed Daniyal turned into Bangladesh’s worst nightmare, dismissing Saqlain and Jishan Alam to restrict them to 6/2 in just three balls. Pakistan’s chase was far more relaxed—Saad Masood and Maaz Sadaqat knocked off the target in four deliveries, sealing the Shaheens’ third Rising Stars Asia Cup title.
With previous triumphs in 2019 and 2023, Pakistan are now the most successful team in the tournament’s history, leaving Sri Lanka A, India A and Afghanistan A trailing behind.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan Shaheens 125/10 (Saad Masood 38; Ripon Mondol 3/25) & 8/0 in Super Over beat Bangladesh A 125/9 (Habibur Rahman Sohan 26) & 6/2 in Super Over.