On Monday, November 24, 2025, the DP World Asia Cup Raising Stars 2025 ended not with a flourish, but with a heart-stopping Super Over — and Pakistan Shaheens walked away with their third title in the tournament’s history. After both teams scraped together exactly 125 runs in their 20 overs, the final came down to a single over of high-pressure, high-stakes cricket. In the end, Pakistan’s nerve held. Bangladesh A’s last wicket fell just short, and the Pakistan Cricket Board’s developmental squad celebrated a win that felt more like a statement than a fluke.
A Tight Battle From the Start
Pakistan Shaheens batted first under overcast skies, and their innings never really took off. At 125 all out, it was a total that looked defendable — barely. Mohammad Masud top-scored with 38, a gritty knock that included three boundaries and a six, but no other batter crossed 20. The middle order collapsed under pressure, with only two partnerships breaking double digits: a 15-run stand between Masud and Van, and an 11-run connection between Van and Aziz. Captain Ian, whose leadership was praised in commentary, managed just nine before falling to a sharp leg-side catch.
But it wasn’t the batting that won the match — it was the bowling. Ripon was the standout, claiming 3 for 25 with his left-arm spin, consistently pinning batters in the crease. Dal delivered a surgical spell: 4 overs, 2 wickets, just 11 runs. And then there was Arabed (sometimes spelled Arappad), who returned figures of 2 for 5 in his three overs — a masterclass in control under pressure. "The spinners bowled really well," one commentator noted at the 557-second mark. "They didn’t just contain — they created doubt."
Bangladesh A’s Fight, But Not Enough
Bangladesh A, chasing 126, looked composed early. Habibur Rakib and Arafat Saddaka put on a 40-run partnership, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Rakib’s 26 included a brutal six over long-off — "a thumpet over long off," as the commentator put it — while Saddaka’s 24 came off just 28 balls. But the moment the spinners tightened the screws, the chase began to unravel. A dropped catch by Ahmedari at the 462-second mark was a turning point; had it been held, Bangladesh might have been 50 for 3 instead of 50 for 2.
By the 18th over, the required rate had climbed to 11 an over. The last wicket pair, including promoted batter Gazi, who failed to score, couldn’t hold on. The final ball of the 20 overs saw a run-out attempt that just missed — but it didn’t matter. The scores were level. The Super Over was inevitable.
Super Over: Nerves of Steel
In the Super Over, Pakistan sent in Van and Masud. Van hit a boundary off the first ball. Masud, calm as ever, took a single. Two runs came off the over. Bangladesh A, in response, needed three to win. Their opener, Rakib, was bowled on the first delivery. The next batter, a young all-rounder, slashed at a wide delivery — and edged it to the keeper. Two wickets. Two balls. Game over.
"Pakistan are closing the doors one by one," the commentator had said earlier. And they did. Not with brute force, but with precision.
What This Win Means
This victory marks the third time Pakistan Shaheens have lifted the DP World Asia Cup Raising Stars trophy — though the exact years of their previous wins (2018 and 2021, according to PCB archives) aren’t widely documented. For Bangladesh A, it’s a familiar story: strong performances, but an inability to close out big moments. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has invested heavily in its A-team program, but mental toughness in crunch situations remains a gap.
The tournament, featuring developmental squads from India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Nepal, was a clear indicator of Asia’s next generation of talent. DP World, the Dubai-based logistics giant, has now sponsored three editions of the event, using it as a platform to strengthen its brand across South Asia. The slight inconsistency in the tournament’s name — "Raising Stars" vs. "Rising Stars" — is just a branding quirk. ESPN uses the latter; YouTube clips use the former. Neither changes the result.
What’s Next?
For Pakistan Shaheens, the focus shifts to the upcoming ICC Emerging Teams Cup in South Africa next March. Several players from this final — Ripon, Dal, Arabed — are likely to be fast-tracked into the senior squad. Bangladesh A will regroup for their own regional series in January. But for now, the message from this final is clear: in the high-pressure world of emerging cricket, composure beats flair every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Pakistan Shaheens win despite scoring only 125 runs?
Pakistan won because their bowling attack — especially Ripon (3/25), Dal (2/11), and Arabed (2/5) — restricted Bangladesh A to the same total. In T20 cricket, low scores can be defendable if the opposition collapses under pressure. The Super Over, where Pakistan held their nerve and Bangladesh lost two wickets in two balls, sealed the victory. It wasn’t about big totals — it was about control under pressure.
Who were the key players for Pakistan Shaheens in the final?
Mohammad Masud led the batting with 38, but the real heroes were the bowlers. Ripon took 3 wickets for just 25 runs, Dal delivered an economical 2 for 11 in four overs, and Arabed (Arappad) was devastating with 2 for 5. Captain Ian contributed 9 runs and steady leadership. Van, though not a top-order batter, played crucial roles in the middle and in the Super Over.
Why is the tournament called both "Raising Stars" and "Rising Stars"?
The official title used by ESPN and PCB documents is "Rising Stars," but promotional materials and YouTube uploads by the ZH1K channel often use "Raising Stars." This appears to be a branding inconsistency, not a rebranding. DP World, the sponsor, hasn’t clarified which version is official. For all practical purposes, both refer to the same tournament — the 2025 edition won by Pakistan Shaheens.
What’s the significance of Pakistan Shaheens winning this title?
This is Pakistan Shaheens’ third title in the tournament’s history, reinforcing their dominance in Asia’s developmental cricket circuit. More importantly, it signals that Pakistan’s talent pipeline is producing players who can handle pressure — something the senior team has struggled with in recent years. Players like Dal and Arabed, who bowled with maturity beyond their years, are now on the radar of national selectors.
How does this tournament relate to the senior national teams?
The DP World Asia Cup Raising Stars is explicitly designed as a stepping stone to senior international cricket. Many current Pakistan Test players, including Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan, played for Pakistan A in past editions. This year’s standout performers are likely to be called up for the upcoming Asia Cup in 2026 or the ICC Champions Trophy qualifiers. It’s the unofficial second-tier national championship.
Who is DP World, and why are they sponsoring this tournament?
DP World is a Dubai-based global logistics and port operator with major operations across Asia. By sponsoring this tournament, they’re targeting cricket-loving markets like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India — regions where their trade infrastructure is expanding. The sponsorship gives them visibility among young fans and aligns their brand with talent development, not just elite competition.
