Questions have emerged over Bangladesh’s treatment in the Asia Cup 2025 after commentators flagged the scheduling of their Super 4 matches. The team played India and Pakistan on consecutive days, leaving players with almost no recovery time before what was effectively a semi-final clash. Analysts argued that the format heavily taxed Bangladesh while Pakistan entered the crucial match fully rested. The Super 4 fixtures were released in July, confirming Bangladesh’s back-to-back schedule in advance. Critics suggested that this arrangement seemed designed to safeguard a Sunday India-Pakistan final. They pointed out that Pakistan avoided consecutive match days, unlike India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. For Bangladesh, the clash with Pakistan became a must-win, but their limited turnaround time likely affected performance levels. Read also: Jasprit Bumrah responds to Mohammad Kaif’s remarks on his fitness Pakistan Enter Final After Hard-Fought Win Pakistan sealed their spot in the final with an 11-run victory over Bangladesh in Lahore. Batting first, they posted 135 for 8 in 20 overs, a total that looked underwhelming. Mohammad Haris contributed 31, while Nawaz added 25 crucial runs. Bangladesh’s chase faltered under sustained pressure from Pakistan’s bowlers. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf grabbed three wickets each, restricting Bangladesh to 124 for 9. Sam Ayub and Nawaz shared the remaining wickets to complete the defense. The result confirmed the first-ever India-Pakistan final in Asia Cup history since the event’s inception in 1984. While fans await the high-voltage clash, the scheduling controversy has triggered wider discussion on competitive balance in multi-nation tournaments, with several voices calling for more equitable planning.