Pakistan beat Bangladesh to set up title showdown with India

Defending an under-par total of 135, Shaheen- led bowling attack wrapped up Bangladesh's innings for 124/9 to set up a mouth-watering clash with the mighty India

- Mohammad Abdullah, Senior Reporter

Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf took three wickets each to lead the fightback as Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by II runs to book their berth in the final of the Asia Cup on Thursday.

Defending, Shaheen gave Pakistan a perfect start by sending back Parvez Hossain Emon for a duck to the pavilion in the second ball of the innings.

Shaheen removed Towhid Hridoy also in the fifth over to give Pakistan the second breakthrough.

Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz picked up Saif Hassan and Mahedi Hasan respectively to reduce Bangladesh to 44/4.

It looked as if there was a contest between Pakistan and Bangladesh to see who could play worse on a given day.

Nurul Hasan and Shamim Hossain kept the chase alive with a 19-run stand for a brief time before Ayub broke the promising partnership.

Jakir looked in a hurry as he played aerial shots before finally being caught, handing Ayub his second scalp.

The responsibility of taking Bangladesh through came on Shamim. He waged a lone battle. Bangladesh's hope perished as the fighting knock of Shamim came to an abrupt end. He was caught at short fine leg while trying to play a reverse sweep against Shaheen.