Pakistan bowlers shine to seal T20 Asia Cup Final spot against India

On a surface offering grip and movement, Pakistan's batting line-up struggled to build momentum. Sent in to bat, they posted 135-8 from their 20 overs.

Taskin Ahmed led Bangladesh's attack with 3-28, removing opener Sahibzada Farhan for four in the opening over. Saim Ayub endured another failure, dismissed for his fourth duck of the tournament, while Fakhar Zaman (13) and captain Salman Agha (19) also fell cheaply.

With Pakistan tottering at 49-5, it took a fighting seventh-wicket stand of 38 between Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Nawaz to steady the innings.

Haris made 31, striking two boundaries and a six, while Nawaz added 25 off 15 balls, hitting two sixes and a four. Shaheen Shah Afridi's late cameo of 19 from 13 balls, including two sixes, pushed Pakistan to a competitive total.

Bangladesh's chase faltered early under pressure from Pakistan's pace attack. Shaheen Afridi (3-17) struck with the new ball and returned to remove key middle-order wickets. Haris Rauf supported him well with 3-33 as Bangladesh were restricted to 124-9 in their 20 overs.

Shamim Hossain top-scored with 30 off 25 balls, while Saif Hassan managed 18, but regular wickets left Bangladesh behind the required rate.

Pakistan's disciplined bowling effort secured their second win of the Super Four stage and ensured a place in Sunday's final against India.

It will be the third meeting between the arch-rivals in this tournament, with Pakistan determined to reverse their fortunes after losing both earlier encounters.

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