Asia Cup Final: Pakistan Set to Face India, Aim to Extend Dominance in Tournament Deciders

Pakistan secured their spot in the Asia Cup final (on Sunday) against India with a narrow 11-run victory over Bangladesh in Dubai on Thursday, setting up their first-ever final encounter between the arch-rivals in the tournament's history.The victory marks Pakistan's second win in the Super Four stage, setting up their third meeting with India in the tournament. The previous two encounters between the teams were marked by controversy, with players refusing to shake hands after both matches."We are very excited," said Pakistan captain Salman Agha. "We know what we need to do, and we are a good enough team to beat anyone, and we will come on Sunday and try to beat them."Bangladesh restricted Pakistan to 135-8 in their 20 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bowl first. Taskin Ahmed led the bowling attack with figures of 3-28, supported by spinners Rishad Hossain and Mahedi Hasan who claimed two wickets each.Pakistan's batting struggled on the sticky Dubai pitch, losing early wickets as Sahibzada Farhan fell for four and Saim Ayub recorded his fourth duck of the tournament. Fakhar Zaman managed 13 while captain Salman Agha scored 19.A crucial seventh-wicket partnership of 38 between Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Nawaz helped Pakistan recover. Haris scored 31 with two boundaries and a six, while Nawaz contributed 25 off 15 balls with two sixes and a boundary.In response, Bangladesh could only manage 124-9 in their 20 overs. Pakistan's pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi (3-17) and Haris Rauf (3-33) led the bowling attack effectively. Shamim Hossain top-scored for Bangladesh with 30 off 25 balls, while Saif Hassan added 18.Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was dropped twice by Bangladesh fielders, played a quick cameo of 19 runs off 13 balls, including two sixes. He was adjudged the Player of the Match.India vs Pakistan in tournament finals (featuring 5+ teams)Played: 5India won: 2Pakistan won: 3India and Pakistan have played five finals in limited overs tournaments that have included more than five teams. India's only wins have come in the Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket (1985) and the inaugural T20 World Cup (2007). Pakistan have won the other three encounters - Austral-Asia Cup (1986, 1994) and most recently, the Champions Trophy (2017).