Junior Tigers eye third straight Asia Cup final

Bangladesh will be aiming to seal a third successive final berth in the ACC Under-19 Asia Cup when they face Pakistan in the second semifinal at Sevens Stadium in Dubai on Friday.

The junior Tigers, champions of the last two editions, are unbeaten in the competition, having won all three of their group games.

Bangladesh began their campaign with a hard-fought three-wicket victory over Afghanistan before registering comfortable wins against Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Opener Zawad Abrar has been in impressive form, scoring 215 runs in three innings at a remarkable average of 107.50. Left-arm spinner Shahriar Ahmed is Bangladesh's leading wicket-taker with seven scalps in three matches.

Pakistan, meanwhile, booked a semifinal spot as Group A runners-up. They opened their campaign with a massive 297-run win over Malaysia but suffered a crushing defeat against arch-rivals India in their second group match. Pakistan bounced back with another strong display against hosts UAE.

In the first semifinal, Group A champions India will face Group B runners-up Sri Lanka at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, with the final scheduled for Sunday at the same venue.