International cricket strives to leave Asia Cup 2025 behind

LONDON: Last week’s column suggested that Pakistan were the favorites to beat Bangladesh for a place in the Asia Cup 2025 final. It also suggested that the contest would be close. Prior to the match I asked a respected match commentator for his prediction. His view was that Pakistan ought to win but this “depended on how they turned up on the day.” Pakistan have a reputation for mercurial performances. The match that unfolded was gripping and flawed. The body language and mannerisms of the players conveyed the tensions involved.

Pakistan were asked to bat first. The openers were in a frenetic mood, racing down the pitch to attack the bowling. It did them no good, three batters out for only 27 in the powerplay, a situation that worsened in the 11th over, Pakistan subsiding to 49 for five. The first six of the innings came in the 13th over from the bat of Shaheen Afridi, who was dropped twice before being finally caught for 19. Nawaz should have been caught for nought, but went on to make 25.

In the last eight overs Pakistan scored 80 to post a score of 135, a reachable target and better than had seemed likely just past the halfway stage. Afridi claimed two early wickets for Pakistan. Bangladesh attacked at the other end, but could not sustain their momentum, too many batters holing out to boundary fielders, and they ended 11 runs short.

Both teams were guilty of sloppy performances, perhaps to be expected given the status of the match. Additionally, Bangladesh may have felt harshly treated. The team played India and Pakistan on consecutive days, leaving players with almost no recovery time before what was effectively a semifinal clash.

So, the scene was set for an India v Pakistan final, something that had seemed, if