Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to take on any opposition, after their hard-fought 11-run win over Bangladesh in Dubai secured a place in the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 final.

The Men in Green booked their spot in the title clash following a gritty performance in the Super Four encounter at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Batting first, Pakistan managed 135/8 in their 20 overs, with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris top-scoring with a brisk 31 off 23 balls, including two boundaries and a six.

Mohammad Nawaz (25) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (19) also made valuable contributions to the total.

In reply, Bangladesh were restricted to 124/9 despite Shamim Hossain’s fighting 30.

Pakistan’s bowling unit held its nerve, with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf claiming two wickets each, while Saim Ayub also picked up two and Nawaz chipped in with one.

Speaking at the post-match presentation, captain Salman Ali Agha praised his bowlers’ efforts, admitted there was still room for improvement, and underlined his team’s readiness for the historic final against arch-rivals India on Sunday at the same venue.

“If you can win these kinds of games, you must be a special team. Everyone chipped in.

The way Shaheen bowled and the way Haris bowled up front, it was special,” Agha said.

“We are finding ways to win. There are ways to improve but we will be better in the final,” he added.

After walking out to bat at number six, with the scoreboard reading 33/4 in 8.1 overs, wicketkeeper batter Haris held Pakistan’s innings together with a sensible knock, which eventually culminated in the 18th over.

“He is a special player. He is not batting in his number. He never moaned. He said whatever the team needs, he will do it.

He is contributing every single game and I am very happy,” Agha lauded Haris for his anchoring knock.

Although Pakistan successfully defended the 136-run target, their captain Agha rued that they were around 15 runs short.

He, however, praised the bowling unit for creating pressure by bowling well, especially with the new ball.

“We were 10-15 runs short – no way I am going to deny that. If we bowl the way we did up front, we will create pressure,” Agha continued.

“When you create pressure up front, it is tough to chase it down. Bowled well with the new ball and once you bowl like this with the new ball, you win more often,” he added.

The Green Shirts were equally productive in the fielding department, with Saim Ayub and Mohammad Nawaz taking sky-high catches with precision at crucial junctures of the low-scoring, and Agha termed it the outcome of their hard work and credited coach Shane McDermott.

“We have been fielding really well. Since Shane came, we have been working really hard.

Mike, our coach said whoever cannot field, cannot be in the team – so everyone is working very hard with Shane and I am happy with how everyone is fielding,” said Agha.

Salman Ali Agha then went on to share his excitement for the blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rivals India, stating that they are aware of the requirements and will strive to win the summit clash.

“Very excited. We know what we need to do, and we are a good enough team to beat anyone, and we will come on Sunday and try to beat them.”