Bangladesh set 136-run target to reach Asia Cup final

The previous day, India booked their place in the final by beating Bangladesh. That meant today's Bangladesh-Pakistan Super Four clash effectively became an unofficial semifinal of the Asia Cup — the winner would advance to the final.

It was not that the Dubai wicket was unplayable for batting. Rather, Bangladesh's bowlers struck early by maintaining a good length and applying pressure on Pakistan. Though Pakistan tried to recover, they could not push past 135 for 8 in their 20 overs. Bangladesh were left with a target of 136 for a place in the final.

As in the India match, regular captain Litton Das was absent from the XI. Stand-in skipper Zakir Ali won the toss and opted to field first.

There were three changes to the side: Nurul Hasan Sohan, Taskin Ahmed and Sheikh Mahedi Hasan came in for Nasum Ahmed, Mohammad Saifuddin and Tanzid Hasan Tamim. Pakistan's batting collapse began in the first over against Taskin. His outswinger drew Sahibzada Farhan (4) into a shot, with Rishad Hossain taking the catch at backward point. That dismissal gave Taskin his 100th wicket in international T20s.

In the next over, Sheikh Mahedi struck. Attempting to loft him, Saim Ayub was caught at mid-on by Rishad. It was already his fourth duck of this Asia Cup.

Having taken two catches, Rishad felt it was time to get wickets of his own. Captain Zakir Ali introduced him right after the powerplay. Pakistan had crawled to only 27 for 2 in the first six overs, and Rishad tightened the screws further. In his very first over, he dismissed Fakhar Zaman, who lofted to long-off where Tanzim Hasan Sakib completed the catch. Fakhar departed for 13 off 20 balls with two boundaries.

In his next over, Rishad removed Hussain Talat (3), thanks to a sharp backward-point catch from Saif Hassan. Pakistan were in complete disarray, not managing more than six runs in any of the first nine overs.

Skipper Salman Ali Agha tried to build a partnership with Mohammad Haris, but that too lasted no more than 15 balls. A brilliant cutter from Mustafizur Rahman did the trick, though the umpire initially gave it not out. A review confirmed that Salman had edged through to wicketkeeper Zakir.

To lift the scoring rate, Shaheen Shah Afridi was promoted to No. 7. Primarily a bowler, he had already shown flashes of power-hitting in this Asia Cup. True to form, he struck two big sixes off Tanzim and Taskin. But Taskin ended his cameo at 19 off 13, with Zakir running in to complete the catch.

At the other end, Haris was trying to accelerate and looked Pakistan's main hope of a fighting total. Before he could become truly dangerous, Mahedi dismissed him off his own bowling. Haris top-scored with 31 off 23, hitting two fours and a six.

Mohammad Nawaz chipped in with a late cameo of 25 off 15 (one four and two sixes), but he too fell to Taskin, who finished with three wickets. Mahedi also picked up two for 28 from his four overs, while Rishad's tight spell brought him two wickets for only 18.

Despite the brilliant early bowling, Bangladesh were a little untidy at the back end, conceding 89 runs in the last 10 overs — a blemish in an otherwise commanding bowling display.