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DUBAI: Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi opened up after his match-winning performance against Bangladesh in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025 Super Fours here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Pakistan edged Bangladesh by 11 runs to set up its first against arch-rivals India in the continental tournament.
Shaheen Afridi starred with the bat and ball for Pakistan, first chipping in with a crucial 19 runs from 13 balls with the aid of two sixes.
Pakistan posted 135-8 in their 20 overs, courtesy of Bangladesh’s clinical bowling.
Defending a low total, Pakistan needed a special effort up front, and Shaheen provided it with his new ball burst, which set the tone early for the Green Shirts to take hold of the game.
He removed Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy in his first two overs and came back to bowl his last and took the key wicket of Shamim Hossain, which proved to be a final nail in the coffin for the opposition.
Speaking in the post-match presentation, Shaheen emphasized his performance and the importance of early wickets.
“I want to dedicate this (award) to my beautiful wife and son. Early on, as a team, we need breakthroughs, and I go for that. In a small total, you need early breakthroughs, and we planned that,” he said.
The 25-year-old also mentioned the slower ball, which removed Shamim Hossain
and expressed his excitement about playing the final against India.
When asked about Shamim’s dismissal on a slower delivery, Shaheen said, ” No, no. I was working on this delivery and glad that in the main time, I delivered. We needed that wicket, and we did it.”
Before the wicket, an animated Mike Hesson [Pakistan white-ball head coach] was seen signalling the pacer to take pace off the ball.
“After early wickets, team decided (to let me go) and take on bowlers. Those sixes turned the momentum to our end. We are ready [ on facing India],” he concluded.
READ: Pakistan ‘good enough to beat India’ in final, says Salman Ali Agha
