Pakistan struggled to put up a competitive score in their innings, managing only 135/8 in the Asia Cup 2025 clash. The modest total handed Bangladesh a golden opportunity to secure a win and book their spot in the final against India. Yet, the Men in Green kept themselves alive in the contest thanks to an early burst from Shaheen Afridi, who struck twice inside the powerplay. While his first wicket was a routine dismissal, the drama surrounding his second scalp turned into a comedy of errors.
The incident unfolded on the very first delivery of the fifth over. Towhid Hridoy nudged the ball towards point and instinctively called for a single. He advanced a few steps but pulled out at the last moment, leaving his partner Saif Hasan stranded halfway down the pitch. In such situations, a run-out typically seems inevitable.
However, Pakistan squandered what looked like a straightforward chance. Fielder Saim Ayub picked up the ball but fired an errant throw at the stumps. To make matters worse, there was no backup fielder in place, allowing Hasan the time to scramble back into his crease safely. What should have been an easy breakthrough ended up as a moment of sheer chaos.
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Bangladesh breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the reprieve. Hasan, who seemed certain to depart, managed to survive the scare. For Pakistan, it was an embarrassing lapse in the field, highlighting the lack of communication and sharpness that often proves costly in crunch matches.
Fortunately for the Men in Green, the missed opportunity did not come back to haunt them. On the very next ball, Hridoy played a reckless shot and threw away his wicket, giving Pakistan the breakthrough they desperately needed. While the mix-up added a comical moment to the contest, it ultimately had little impact on the match’s outcome.