Right then, the two finalists are confirmed, with Pakistan set to face arch-rivals India in the title clash on Sunday, 28th September. Before that, though, one game remains in the Super Four stage, as India take on Sri Lanka here in Dubai on Friday, 26th September. The champions of the previous edition of the T20 Asia Cup, Sri Lanka, have underperformed in this Super Four round and will be looking to bow out on a high. From India’s perspective, it is a bit of a conundrum. They have issues to iron out in terms of their fielding and the lack of runs from the middle order. With just a day’s break before the final, the big question is whether they rest a few key players or go in with their best XI. The game will begin at 2.30 pm GMT, but do join us early for the build-up. See you then. Cheers!

The skipper of Pakistan, Salman Agha, reflects that if a team can win matches like this, they are a special side. Praises the collective effort, especially the bowling and fielding, where everyone contributed. Points out that while batting still needs improvement, the team is working on it. Talking about Shaheen, he calls him a special player who always delivers what the team needs, and he is delighted with his impact up front. Also appreciates Mohammad Haris, who is not batting in his usual position but is still making valuable contributions. On defending a low total, Salman highlights how crucial the new ball was in these conditions and credits the bowlers for creating pressure early on. Acknowledges the hard work put in on the field, mentioning that Shane has been pushing the players with extra sessions and reminding them of Mike Hesson’s words, as if you can’t field, you won’t make the team. Believes that Pakistan are good enough to beat anyone and promises they will come back on Sunday and try to beat India.

The stand-in skipper of Bangladesh, Jaker Ali, says that the batting unit let them down, and the way they batted cost them this game and the one against India. Shares that it was not easy, but he tried to adjust and enjoyed the captaincy experience. Mentions that the team did well as a bowling unit, with Rishad Hossain and Taskin Ahmed performing strongly. Adds that Saif Hassan stood out with the bat, but no one supported him.

Shaheen Afridi is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his superb all-round performance. He says that he is delighted to contribute with both bat and ball and dedicates the award to his wife and son. Talking about his bowling, Shaheen mentions that the team needed early breakthroughs in the Powerplay, and he is happy to have delivered through those three overs in the Powerplay. Adds that he has been working on different variations, and it feels good that they clicked today to help the team. On his batting cameo, Shaheen explains that he came out ahead of Nawaz and Faheem to inject momentum into the innings. He is glad that he connected well, hitting two sixes at a crucial stage, and is pleased that those runs made a difference for the team. About facing India in the final, he ends by saying that they are ready.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Earlier, after opting to bowl first, Bangladesh dominated the early exchanges and showed they were up for the challenge. The Tigers kept chipping away at wickets on either side of the Powerplay, and at 55/5 after 12 overs, Pakistan looked in real trouble. They managed to scrape their way to 135, thanks to crucial contributions from Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Haris, and Mohammad Nawaz. Having been in complete control, Bangladesh let Pakistan off the hook, with 80 runs leaking in the final 8 overs as Afridi and Nawaz rode their luck amid dropped catches.

With the wicket offering appreciable turn, the likes of Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Saim Ayub came to the fore for Pakistan in the middle overs, and Ayub continued his success with the ball on a night he had another duck in the Asia Cup with the bat. Shamim Hossain fought a lone fight in the face of wickets falling around him, and his departure was pretty much the final nail in the coffin. Shaheen Afridi dealt the early damage with a couple of wickets inside the Powerplay before Haris Rauf took over, and then the duo returned to seal the deal, finishing with three wickets apiece.

Needing 136 to win, the required run rate was not much of an issue, as it was 6.8 at the start of the chase, and it was all about easing those early jitters. The start was decent, with Bangladesh placed at 23/1 after 4 overs, but then, as if a switch had been flicked, the Bangladeshi batters went hell for leather without need. They refused to rein in those attacking instincts and went all out, only to fail. More than Pakistan applying pressure and making it tough for them, the Bangla Tigers made the chase difficult for themselves.

Pakistan are through to the final! Two unpredictable sides went head-to-head, but one lived up to its reputation more than the other. Yes, you guessed it right. It's Bangladesh. A self-implosion on their part allowed Salman Agha and his men to pull a rabbit out of the hat. For the first time in history, the Asia Cup final will be an India-Pakistan showdown.

Haris Rauf (3-0-23-3) will bowl the final over.