Pakistan will face India in the Asia Cup final after defeating Bangladesh by 11 runs in a low-scoring match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
It would be the third time arch-rival Pakistan and India will face off in the event, with India coming on top in the previous two occasions.
Pakistan set a target of 136 runs for Bangladesh to win and successfully defended the target by restricting Bangladesh to 124-9.
Shaheen Afridi’s opening spell derailed Bangladesh's chase, and Muhammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf and Saim Ayub all continued to strike at regular intervals to keep Bangladesh in check.
Afridi completed his quota of four overs with impressive figures of 3-17. Rauf took 3-33 in his four overs. Ayub took 2 wickets, conceding just 16 runs in his four overs.
For Bangladesh, Shamim Hossain top-scored with 30 off 25 balls, followed by Saif Hasan, who made 18 off 15 balls.
Batting first, Pakistan posted 135 runs for the loss of eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
Pakistan got off to a disastrous start to their innings as they lost in-form opener Sahibzada Farhan (four) and struggling Saim Ayub (zero) in the first two overs, with just five runs on the board.
Following the early stutter, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha joined experienced opener Fakhar Zaman in the middle to stabilise the innings, but the duo could add 24 to the total as the latter was dismissed by Rishad Hossain in the seventh over.
Rishad struck again in his next over, dismissing Pakistan’s last match hero Hussain Talat (three) and bringing the total down to 33/4 in 8.1 overs.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha and wicketkeeper batter Haris then shared a brief 16-run partnership until Mustafizur Rahman got the former caught behind in the 11th over with just 49 runs on the board. Agha scored a cautious 19 off 23 deliveries, featuring two fours.
With the scoreboard reading 49/5 in 10.5 overs, Shaheen Shah Afridi was promoted and sent into bat at number seven ahead of regular all-rounders Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf in a bid to lift the score.
The left-handed batter smashed two sixes on his way to a 13-ball 19 and fell to Taskin Ahmed in the 14th over.
Pakistan’s biggest partnership came for the seventh wicket when Haris and Nawaz added 38 runs in 24 balls, with the former leading the charge.
Haris, who appeared to have settled down, was eventually caught and bowled by Mahedi Hasan in the 18th over and walked back after top-scoring for Pakistan with a gutsy 31 off 23 deliveries with the help of three fours and a six.
Nawaz followed suit in the next over as he skied one off Taskin Ahmed and was brilliantly caught by Parvez Hossain Emon after scoring 25 off 15 deliveries, comprising two sixes and a four.
Taskin was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, taking three wickets for just 28 runs in his four overs, followed by Mahedi Hasan and Rishad with two each, while Mustafizur Rahman chipped in with one.
Toss Report
Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan in a do-or-die clash of the Super Four Stage of the Asia Cup.
Both Pakistan and Bangladesh have won their respective matches against Sri Lanka but lost to India.
Bangladesh captain for the match wicket-keeper batsman Jaker Ali said that they have been doing well bowling first and that they intend to continue doing the same.
He added that the pitch was dry. He said before the tournament, the mindset was to win the tournament, and that has not changed.
Bangladesh opted for three changes as Saifuddin, Nasum and Tanzid made way for Mahedi, Taskin and Nurul Hasan.
Pakistan captain Salman said he would have batted first anyway.
“Whenever we have scored well, we have done well. Beating Sri Lanka was great and we have momentum with us. He said that they want to execute plans
Pakistan side remain unchanged.
According to cricket pundits, the pitch for the match has a nice covering of grass and there may be a bit of movement for the seamers early. The weather has changed today with the weather not being as hot with a bit of moisture in the air too. The ball is predicted to swing and seam early and getting through the powerplay, without losing too many wickets will be the key and teams may be able to cash in later.
Squads:
Bangladesh: Saif Hassan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain, Jaker Ali (capt & wk), Nurul Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman
Pakistan: Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (capt), Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed