Bangladesh’s stand-in captain Jaker Ali offered a straightforward explanation after the 11-run defeat to Pakistan in their final Super Four match in the Asia Cup, saying a batting failure cost them the game on Thursday in Dubai, just like it had done the previous day against India.

One glaring aspect of this Asia Cup -- and of most major cricket events, for that matter -- is the organisers’ relentless push to stage as many India-Pakistan clashes as possible.

Farhan’s celebration after his half-century and Rauf’s gesture towards a section of fans while fielding on the boundary line are understood to be the incidents in question, both of which have been widely circulated on social media.

Two-time champions Pakistan must win tonight to keep their final hopes alive, while the Tigers will again aim to be on the cusp of a historic chapter.

Jaker Ali led Bangladesh against India in their Super Four game in Dubai on Wednesday, which ended in a 41-run defeat, in place of regular captain Litton Das, who had suffered an injury in practice on Monday. 

Ace left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman surpassed Shakib Al Hasan to become Bangladesh’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, also becoming only the fourth bowler in the world to register 150 T20I wickets.

Bangladesh's chase never gained momentum, with Saif's valiant fifty proving insufficient as wickets tumbled around him.

India are holders and beat Pakistan in both previous matches, but Shaheen was in bullish mood after taking 3-28 against Sri Lanka.

In a gripping Super 4 encounter at the Asia Cup 2025, the spotlight wasn’t just on the cricket -- it was the playful, theatrical exchanges between spinners Abrar Ahmed and Wanindu Hasaranga that stole the show at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to be rested for the remainder of the Asia Cup despite a two-match home Test series against the West Indies starting early next month.

For coach Simmons, "balance" -- "the most important" aspect of the team -- is more than just a buzzword; it is the lever that can tilt fortune towards Bangladesh, perhaps carrying them all the way.

For Bangladesh, today’s clash against India has become pivotal.

Pakistan kept their Asia Cup campaign alive with a hard-fought five-wicket win over Sri Lanka in a Super Four clash in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

In the Asia Cup, India’s dominant form has made it look like all the other teams are lagging far behind. But Bangladesh’s head coach, Phil Simmons, thinks differently. He believes every team in the tournament has the ability to beat India, and Bangladesh are no exception.

Bangladesh began their Super Four campaign in style, beating Sri Lanka in their opening game, and will now look to carry that momentum into the contest against Suryakumar Yadav’s India on Wednesday.

Bangladesh T20I captain Litton Das suffered a back strain during practice at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Monday, raising concerns ahead of the Tigers’ clash against India.

The handshake snub is the latest example of how cricket mirrors politics between the two countries.

"India has outplayed Pakistan in every department over the last four or five years."

"According to me, if two teams play 15-20 matches, and if it is even, then it is a rivalry. 13-0, 10-1, I don't know what the stat is, but this is not a rivalry anymore."

In just a week, Bangladesh have found themselves in contrasting scenarios -- from fearing elimination after losing to Sri Lanka in the group stage to brightening their hopes of a fourth Asia Cup final with a win over the same side in the Super Four opener.