Top 5 lowest totals successfully defended in T20 Asia Cup ft. Pakistan

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Asia Cup 2025 has witnessed a momentous milestone with India and Pakistan meeting in the final for the first time in the tournament’s 41-year history. Pakistan’s thrilling 11-run victory over Bangladesh in the Super Four match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday set up this historic encounter, marking only the third instance where these arch-rivals will compete for a tournament title involving more than three teams since 1985.

The stage is now set for an unprecedented final showdown on Sunday September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium where the subcontinent’s fiercest rivals will clash for continental supremacy. Pakistan’s qualification came through successfully defending one of the lowest totals in T20 Asia Cup history cementing their place in cricket folklore.

Pakistan’s successful defense of 135/8 against Bangladesh has etched their name in T20 Asia Cup record books as they join an exclusive list of teams who have defended remarkably low totals in the tournament’s history. The left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling attack with exceptional figures of 3/17 while Haris Rauf contributed 3/33 and part-time spinner Saim Ayub claimed 2/16 to restrict Bangladesh to 124/9.

This defensive masterpiece marks the lowest total ever defended in Dubai between two full-member nations in T20 internationals demonstrating the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket where even modest scores can become insurmountable with accurate bowling and strategic field placements. Pakistan’s bowlers produced a disciplined effort under immense pressure with Mohammad Haris contributing 31 off 23 balls and Mohammad Nawaz adding 25 off 15 deliveries in the lower order to propel Pakistan to their eventual winning total.

The T20 format of the Asia Cup has witnessed several remarkable instances where teams have successfully defended low totals showcasing the competitive balance and unpredictability that makes cricket captivating. Pakistan’s recent achievement against Bangladesh joins four other memorable defensive performances that have become part of Asia Cup folklore.

This game represents the lowest total ever successfully defended in T20 Asia Cup history. Led by captain Lasith Malinga‘s exceptional bowling performance of 4/26 Sri Lanka overcame their batting struggles to secure a 14-run victory against the United Arab Emirates. Dinesh Chandimal‘s half-century of 50 runs off 39 balls was the lone significant contribution in Sri Lanka’s innings before Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara combined to dismantle UAE’s chase with precise yorkers and disciplined line and length bowling.

The match saw Bangladesh successfully defend their modest total by 51 runs at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. Mohammad Mithun‘s 47 off 41 balls and Mahmudullah‘s unbeaten 36 off 27 deliveries helped Bangladesh reach their defendable total before their bowling attack led by Mahmudullah’s 2/5 and captain Mashrafe Mortaza‘s 2/12 dismantled UAE’s batting lineup restricting them to just 82 runs in 17.4 overs.

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This encounter marks Pakistan’s entry into this exclusive list with their remarkable 11-run victory that secured their place in the Asia Cup final. After being reduced to 71/6 in the 14th over Pakistan’s lower order featuring Haris and Nawaz added crucial runs before Afridi, Rauf and Ayub combined to produce one of the most disciplined bowling performances in recent T20 Asia Cup history.

The game demonstrates Pakistan’s consistent ability to defend below-par totals in challenging conditions. Fakhar Zaman‘s 50 off 36 balls and Shaheen Afridi’s unbeaten 29 off 14 deliveries helped Pakistan post a competitive total before their bowling attack featuring Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Rauf with two wickets each restricted UAE to 105 runs in 17.4 overs ensuring a comprehensive 41-run victory.

This battle rounds out the top five with Bangladesh’s successful defence against Sri Lanka during the group stage of the 2016 tournament. The match exemplified how crucial partnerships and disciplined bowling can turn seemingly inadequate totals into match-winning scores highlighting the tactical dimensions that make T20 cricket unpredictable and engaging for spectators worldwide.

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