Bangladesh A Edges India A in Super Over Thriller to Reach Asia Cup Rising Stars Final

When the final ball of the 20th over fizzed past the stumps and into the ropes, the scoreboard read 194/6 — identical for both teams. The crowd at West End Park International Cricket Stadium in Doha fell silent, then erupted. It wasn’t just a tie. It was a narrative twist no one saw coming. the DP World Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 had delivered its most dramatic chapter yet: Bangladesh A defeating India A by one wicket in a nail-biting Super Over on November 21, 2025. The win wasn’t just about advancing to the final. It was about proving that cricket’s next generation isn’t just playing — it’s rewriting the script.

A Tie That Broke the Mold

Both teams had come into the semi-final with contrasting momentum. India A, with an 8-match win rate of 62% and an average of 173 runs, had bulldozed through the group stage. Their captain, A Ali, a wicketkeeper-batter known for his calm under pressure, had led them to victories over Afghanistan A and Hong Kong. Meanwhile, Bangladesh A had scraped through — 10 matches, 5 wins, 5 losses. Their highest score? 194. Their lowest? 79. They were the underdogs who’d survived by the skin of their teeth.

India A won the toss and chose to bowl — a decision that looked smart as Bangladesh A limped to 52/3 in the 10th over. But then came J Alam, the all-rounder who had been quietly building his reputation. He smashed 72 off 44 balls, including six boundaries and three sixes, dragging his side from 98/5 to 194/6. India A’s reply was equally gritty. H R Sohan top-scored with 68, while A Ali anchored the finish with a composed 51. The last over, bowled by Bangladesh’s left-arm spinner, needed 12 runs. India A got 11. One run short. A tie.

Super Over: The Moment That Defined a Generation

The Super Over wasn’t just a formality. It was a test of nerve. Bangladesh A sent in Y Ali, the 19-year-old batter who’d been dropped from the senior squad just six months earlier. He faced the first ball — a slower ball outside off — and guided it to fine leg for a single. One run. One wicket. That was all they needed.

India A’s turn came next. Their captain, A Ali, stepped in. The first ball — a yorker — was blocked. The second — wide and full — was swung hard. It flew… but not far enough. Hemantha Boteju, one of the on-field umpires, raised his finger. Out. Caught at deep midwicket. The next ball? Another yorker. Another block. The third? A bouncer. A top edge. The wicketkeeper — A Ali — dived. It slipped through his gloves. Barely. The batsmen ran one. But it was too late. The third umpire, Rahul Asher, reviewed. No contact. The ball had grazed the bat. No catch. No run-out. Just two wickets down. India A: 0/2. Bangladesh A: 1/1. The result? A win by one wicket.

“We didn’t believe we’d make it,” said Y Ali after the match. “But when I saw the scoreboard, I just thought — one run. One wicket. That’s all we need. That’s all cricket ever asks for.”

Pakistan Shaheens Set the Stage for a Final for the Ages

The second semi-final, played the next day, was almost a contrast in tone. Pakistan Shaheens posted 153/9 against Sri Lanka A — a modest total by modern T20 standards. But their spinners, led by Saad Masood, who took 3/21, dismantled Sri Lanka’s middle order. The final over saw Sri Lanka needing 10 off 6 balls. They got 5. A run-out sealed it. Pakistan Shaheens by five runs.

The final, on November 23, was even more surreal. Both teams finished at 125/10 in 20 overs — the first time in tournament history that two teams had been all out in a T20 final. The Super Over? Pakistan Shaheens scored 7/0 in 0.4 overs. Bangladesh A managed 6/2 in 0.3. Pakistan won by two wickets. The trophy went to the Shaheens. But the story? It belonged to Bangladesh A.

Why This Matters Beyond the Trophy

This wasn’t just about who lifted the cup. It was about the future. Bangladesh A had beaten India A — a team that had averaged 173 runs and won 62% of its games — on their own terms. In a tournament featuring eight developmental sides from across Asia, it was Bangladesh’s resilience, not their firepower, that carried them. Their average of 155 runs over 10 matches looked modest. But in crunch moments, they delivered.

For India A, the loss stings. They had the best record. The most runs. The most experienced players. Yet they lost to a team that had lost to Sri Lanka A just days earlier by six runs. Cricket’s hierarchy is shifting. The old order — India always wins, Pakistan always finishes strong — is being challenged by hungry, fearless newcomers.

The Asian Cricket Council, which sanctions this tournament, now has proof that its Rising Stars format works. These aren’t just practice matches. They’re battlegrounds where future Test captains, T20 finishers, and all-rounders are being forged. Doha, with its state-of-the-art pitch and climate-controlled stadium, has become an unlikely crucible for Asia’s next cricketing stars.

What’s Next for Asian Cricket’s Future?

The final may have ended with Pakistan Shaheens hoisting the trophy, but the real winners are the fans — and the system. Bangladesh A’s journey shows that talent isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s quiet. Sometimes, it’s patient. Sometimes, it waits until the Super Over to speak.

Next year’s tournament will likely expand to 10 teams, with Afghanistan A and Hong Kong pushing harder for inclusion. Scouts from England, Australia, and South Africa were spotted in Doha. One senior Indian selector told reporters: “We’re not just watching players. We’re watching mindsets.”

And maybe that’s the real takeaway. Cricket isn’t just about runs and wickets anymore. It’s about who can hold their nerve when everything’s on the line.