Star Metro - Pakistan down Bangladesh to set up Asia Cup final with India

Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed grabbed 3-28 as Pakistan batters were sloppy on a sticky Dubai stadium pitch in their last Super Four match, managing a modest 135-8 in 20 overs.

But Pakistan staged a fightback through pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-17) and Haris Rauf (3-33) to keep Bangladesh down to 124-9 in 20 overs and book their place in Sunday's showpiece against India.

Shamim Hossain top-scored for Bangladesh with a 25-ball 30 and Saif Hassan scored 18.

Pakistan's second win in the Super Four stage set them up for a third encounter against archrivals India.

They lost both previous meetings with their neighbours so far in the tournament, with the two matches marred by a no-handshake controversy.

India players refused to shake hands with Pakistan after the first game and the two sides also did not shake hands after the second.

Earlier, Taskin was well supported by spinners Rishad Hossain (2-18) and Mahedi Hasan (2-28) to keep Pakistan in check after they were sent in to bat.

Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals as Taskin removed opener Sahibzada Farhan off the fourth ball of the match for four while Hasan had Saim Ayub for his fourth duck of the tournament.

Fakhar Zaman scored 13 and captain Salman Agha 19 as Pakistan tottered at 49-5.

It was a seventh-wicket stand of 38 between Mohammad Haris (31) and Mohammad Nawaz (25) that helped Pakistan add 52 in the last five overs.

Haris hit two boundaries and a six while Nawaz's 15-ball knock had two sixes and a boundary.

Shaheen, dropped twice by Bangladesh fielders, hit two sixes in his rapid 13-ball 19.

P.M.Martin--SMC