Naqvi Applauds Shaheens After Tense Super Over Seals Asia Cup Win

The Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 final in Doha had tension stitched into every over, and by the end, even seasoned fans admitted their nerves were shot. Pakistan Shaheens edged Bangladesh A in a dramatic Super Over on Sunday night, sealing their third title and drawing warm praise from PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi. And honestly, you could feel how much this one meant.

Mohsin Naqvi’s Praise

Naqvi, whose statement arrived barely an hour after the celebrations kicked off, sounded genuinely thrilled. He called the players sharp, hungry and confident in big moments. Short lines at first. Then a longer thought, as if he wanted to capture the entire journey in a single breath. He said the Shaheens played like true competitors, noting their teamwork and steady temperament. The way they held up under so much pressure was remarkable. 

The ACC President chipped in as well, sending congratulations to both the team and support staff. He described the win as a signal of a bright future. That line alone nudged curiosity. What will this group become in two years? And who emerges as the next breakout name?

But back to the chaos on the field. The final had swung back and forth all evening. Bangladesh A, chasing 126, managed 125 for nine. That one moment that flipped everything came in the last over when they needed two off the final ball, but scraped just a single. Gasps rippled across the ground. The scoreboard said tie, yet the mood felt tilted, as if Pakistan had survived a storm.

Super Over Showdown

In the Super Over, Bangladesh A batted first but stumbled instantly. Ahmed Daniyal fired a sharp ball that trapped Abdul Gaffar Saqlain for a first-ball duck. A wide that ran to the boundary jolted the Pakistan fans, but Daniyal recovered well, giving away only six runs. A tidy little spell, steady as you like.

Chasing seven, Pakistan started with a leg bye. Maaz Sadaqat nudged a single. Then Saad Masood stepped in, cracking a clean boundary that sent the dugout into a roar. Suddenly, the target looked tiny. Three balls left, one run needed. Masood inside-edged the last delivery, and that was it. A messy little shot, but nobody cared. The trophy was theirs.

Looking back at the main innings, Bangladesh A had begun brightly. Habibur Rahman Sohan and Jishan Alam played freely, nudging and swinging with purpose. But the Shaheens didn’t blink. Arafat Minhas removed Jishan in the third over. Moments later, Habibur fell after a breezy 26, and the tone of the chase changed completely.

The slide continued. Mahidul Islam was trapped without scoring. Akbar Ali laboured for two off ten before falling. Yasir Ali lasted a short while. After the drinks break, Sufiyan Muqeem delivered two quick strikes, wiping out any remaining calm in Bangladesh A’s camp. Their dugout looked stunned, no doubt about it.

Even then, a small twist arrived. Rakibul Hasan and SM Meherob stitched 37 crucial runs. It wasn’t flashy, but it dragged the contest to a point where Pakistan had to think twice. 

Bangladesh A’s Fight and Tail-End Surprise

Daniyal broke the stand, removing both set batters. That felt like the final blow until the tail suddenly lit up. No one expected three sixes from the Bangladeshi tail-ender, but they hit and changed everything. Three sixes in the 19th over had everyone on their feet. 

Yet the last over brought only six runs. Bangladesh A walked off with regret in their eyes. Pakistan walked back with relief. And the Shaheens, once again, flew highest on the night that mattered.