Former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, who is now Bangladesh’s spin-bowling coach, couldn’t stop praising Fakhar Zaman’s wicket in the decisive Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash held in Dubai on Thursday. A video of the moment recently surfaced on social media, showing Mushtaq smiling while sitting alongside other members of Bangladesh’s coaching staff.
Fakhar Zaman’s determined stay at the crease against Bangladesh came to an end in the seventh over of the innings. The 35-year-old tried to hit the ball over the long-off boundary but ended up sending it straight to Tanzim Hasan Sakib, resulting in leg-spinner Rishad Hossain claiming the wicket. Zaman managed to score 13 runs off 20 balls, including two boundaries, before Pakistan lost their third wicket.
Bangladesh won the toss and chose to field first at the Dubai International Stadium. Litton Das remained on the sidelines as Jaker Ali won the toss for the second consecutive day in Asia Cup 2025 and opted to bowl. Bangladesh made three changes to their XI, while Pakistan’s lineup remained unchanged.
**Pakistan Playing XI:**
Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (c), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (w), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
**Bangladesh Playing XI:**
Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali (w/c), Nurul Hasan, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mustafizur Rahman.
The Men in Green lost the in-form Sahibzada Farhan in the very first over, courtesy of Taskin Ahmed. Struggling to gain momentum, Pakistan eventually finished their innings at 135/8. Mohammad Haris stood out as the top scorer, making a gritty 31 runs off 23 balls, offering some resistance against the Bangladeshi bowlers.
Now, Pakistan bowlers will have to deliver exceptional performances to stop Bangladesh from chasing down the target of 136 runs inside 20 overs.
The winner of this crucial match will face Team India in the final on Sunday, September 28.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/asia-cup-2025-former-pakistan-spinner-now-bangladesh-coach-mushtaq-ahmed-rejoices-fakhar-zamans-wicket-in-super-4-clash-video