Pakistan Shaheens clinched the Asia Cup Rising Stars title in a nail-biting final against Bangladesh A, decided in a Super Over after both teams finished on 125 runs in regular play.
Batting first, the Shaheens stumbled early, losing their top order inside five overs. Despite contributions from Saad Masood (38) and Arafat Minhas, the innings never gained momentum. Three wickets in the final over from Ripon Mondol (3-25) saw Pakistan bowled out for 125 in 20 overs. Bangladesh A began the chase aggressively, with Habibur Rahman (26) taking on the bowlers early. However, Pakistan’s spinners—Minhas (2-5), Masood, Maaz Sadaqat, and Sufiyan Muqeem (3-11)—triggered a dramatic middle-order collapse, reducing Bangladesh A to 53 for 7.
Just when the match seemed over, Rakibul Hasan (24), Saqlain (16), and Mondol (11) sparked an unexpected lower-order recovery. Needing 27 off the final two overs, they hammered three sixes off Shahid Aziz to force a thrilling finish. Defending six runs in the last over, Ahmed Daniyal held his nerve to push the game into a Super Over.
Daniyal’s heroics continued as he dismissed Saqlain and Jishan Alam in the Super Over, restricting Bangladesh A to six runs. In reply, Masood and Sadaqat chased the target in just four balls, sealing victory and igniting celebrations.
In a match filled with twists, Daniyal emerged as the standout performer, delivering under pressure to help Pakistan Shaheens lift the title in dramatic fashion.
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