Pakistan U19: Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf (c), Huzaifa Ahsan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Momin Qamar, Abdul Subhan, Ali Raza, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammed Huzaifa, Daniyal Ali Khan, Mohammad Shayan, Niqab Shafiq
Pakistan U19: Sameer Minhas, Usman Khan, Ali Hassan Baloch, Ahmed Hussain, Farhan Yousaf (c), Huzaifa Ahsan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Momin Qamar, Abdul Subhan, Ali Raza, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammed Huzaifa, Daniyal Ali Khan, Mohammad Shayan, Niqab Shafiq
Bangladesh U19: Zawad Abrar, MD Rifat Beg, Md Azizul Hakim Tamim (c), Kalam Siddiki Aleen, Md Rizan Hossan, Shahria Al-Amin, Md Farid Hasan Faysal (wk), Shahriar Ahmed, Md Samiun Basir Ratul, Saad Islam Razin, Iqbal Hossain Emon, Sheikh Parvez Jibon, Shadhin Islam, Md Sobuj, Md Abdullah
The match is scheduled to begin at 10:30am IST. The Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Under-19 Asia Cup 2025 semi-final will be telecast on the Sony Sports Network TV channels in India. It will be live streamed on the SonyLIV app and website in the country.
Rain in Dubai has delayed the toss at the Sevens Stadium. In the concurrent fixture involving India and Sri Lanka, too, the toss has been postponed.
Pakistan U19, led by Farhan Yousaf, beat UAE comprehensively by 70 runs in their last group-stage fixture at the ICC Academy Ground. After posting a 241-run total, the Shaheens bundled UAE out for 171 in 37.5 overs.
Bangladesh secured a commanding 39-run victory against Sri Lanka in the final match of Group B at the ICC Academy Ground No. 2 in Dubai. After being invited to bat first, SL bowled out BAN for 225 in 46.3 overs. What looked like a modest total proved to be a mountain for Sri Lanka, as they got bundled out for just 186 runs.
In some good news, the skies have cleared up and the covers have also been taken off at the Sevens Stadium. The players have arrived and are warming up at the ground, and we should have a revised toss timing soon.
We are still awaiting news of toss and a revised start time. As there has been a two-hour delay already, one can expect a reduction in overs. All of that, of course is contingent on the weather as more rain could affect the game adversely. Let's see how it goes.
The bowlers' run-up is the area of concern currently, with some damp patches being inspected by the umpires. The safety of players is paramount and the umpires would want to minimise the likelihood of injuries before giving the go-ahead for play to begin.
The first semi-final between India and Sri Lanka is also yet to begin, given the heavy morning rain in Dubai. A truncated match is on the cards there as well.
We are finally looking forward to some play today, as the broadcasters share the updated playing conditions. As expected, it will be a truncated affair: the match has been cut to a 27 overs per side. We will share more details once available.
Pakistan have won the delayed toss and unsurprisingly opted to bowl first against Bangladesh, given the overcast weather.
A full fours after the scheduled start time, play is finally underway in Dubai. Zawad Abrar and MD Rifat Beg are out to open the batting for Bangladesh, and Ali Raza has the new ball in hand for Pakistan. Three singles result from the first over.
BAN: 3/0 (1)
Pakistan U19: Usman Khan, Sameer Minhas, Farhan Yousaf (c), Ahmed Hussain, Huzaifa Ahsan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Daniyal Ali Khan, Mohammad Shayan, Abdul Subhan, Mohammad Sayyam, Ali Raza
Bangladesh U19: Zawad Abrar, MD Rifat Beg, Md Azizul Hakim Tamim (c), Kalam Siddiki Aleen, Md Farid Hasan Faysal (wk), Md Samiun Basir Ratul, Md Abdullah, Saad Islam Razin, Sheikh Paevez Jibon, Md Sobuj, Iqbal Hossain Emon
Pakistan have wrested the initiative admirably in the powerplay. After openers Zawad Abrar and MD Rifat Beg smashed a six apiece to break the shackles, the Shaheens get rid of both of them to put the pressure squarely back on the Young Tigers.
BAN: 24/2 (6)
The wickets have slowed Bangladesh down. Skipper Md Azizul Hakim Tamim is trying to up the scoring rate, but the ball doesn't seem to be coming onto the bat as easily as in some of the prior games of the tournament. Nevertheless, Hakim and Kalam Siddiki Aleen have steadied the innings, and will look to capitalize from now on.
BAN: 55/2 (12)
Bangladesh are down in the dumps after losing middle-order wickets in a heap. They go from 55 for 2 to 73 for 6, and will struggle to post any total in excess of 130. Things going to plan for Pakistan, and they will aim to finish well with the ball.
BAN: 79/6 (18)
Pakistan continue to strengthen their position in the match. Abdul Subhan rounds up his bowling day with a wicket, his fourth of the match. Md Sobuj has to walk back as Bangladesh go eight down with the scoring rate still below five an over.
BAN: 105/8 (23)
Pakistan prise out the remaining two wickets, three balls before the stipulated end of the innings. Samiun Basir is the last man to be dismissed, and it's via a run-out. Bangladesh are bowled out for a below-par 121 in 26.3 overs, and Pakistan are favourites to chase it down, barring a special bowling display from the Young Tigers.
Bangladesh will not go down without a fight! Iqbal Hossain Emon has Hamza Zahoor caught behind for a two-ball duck in the very first over. But Emon's new-ball partner Saad Islam is profligate first up, conceding 19 runs in the second over. Pakistan are up and running.
PAK: 20/1 (2)
Sameer Minhas (36 not out) has already clubbed three fours and two sixes in his 21-ball stay, as Pakistan seem intent to try and counter-attack their way to the 122-run target. It's paying off too, as they have already wiped off 61 runs from the target. In effect, they are halfway there in just seven overs, with nine wickets still intact.
PAK: 61/1 (7)
Sameer Minhas is just 3 runs away from his half-century and his partnership with Usman Khan has reached to 84 runs. The Shaheens will be winning this match very soon.
Minhas gets to his half-century, but his partnership with Usman Khan has been broken for 85 runs, but the Shaheens will face no problem as victory is just 26 runs away.
Back to back third finale qualification for the Pakistani men's team in the Asia Cup, first the senior T20 edition in September, then the Rising Stars and now the U-19 final.
It was a comprehensive victory for the Shaheens as Sameer Minhas led from the front with his 69 not out off 57 balls. He had an 85-run partnership with Usman Khan, who scored 27 off 26, while Ahmed Hussain scored 11 runs off 14 towards the end.
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