Another semifinal disguised as Super 4 clash

The Asia Cup has often thrown up fixtures that feel like knockouts long before the final itself, and the ongoing 17th edition is no different.

Bangladesh and Pakistan meet tonight in Dubai, once more with everything on the line -- effectively a semifinal dressed in a Super Four clothing.

The situation seven years ago was strikingly similar, though in a 50-over format rather than T20. Then too, Bangladesh and Pakistan faced what was essentially a do-or-die clash, and the pre-match atmosphere leaned heavily towards Pakistan progressing and meeting India but, eventually, it was not meant to be.

This time, Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi resisted the temptation to fuel talk of a final against India in yesterday's press conference. "India haven't reached the final yet… Right now, we're here to win the final and lift the Asia Cup."

Back in 2018, Shoaib Malik preferred not to dwell on the opposition, but Afridi openly acknowledged the challenge Bangladesh pose. He pointed out captain Litton Das and others as players Pakistan could not take lightly. Litton, however, was rested as a precautionary measure -- following a minor injury during training -- as the Tigers took on India yesterday.

"Bangladesh have been playing really well recently… Whenever you play against such a side, you must attack first; we can't give them any opportunity."

On head-to-head record, Pakistan hold the clear upper hand in T20s, with Bangladesh having won only five games in 20 fixtures. Yet the picture is less one-sided in recent years. The last two years have been nearly even: Pakistan with four wins, Bangladesh with three.

The Tigers will still carry the memory of their home series win over Pakistan in July this year, where slower pitches worked in their favour. Earlier, in Lahore, they had been well beaten on batting-friendly tracks. The Dubai surface is expected to fall somewhere between -- a wicket that offers enough for bowlers but also bounce early for strokeplay.

Pakistan, for their part, have looked short of their best, especially in their consecutive defeats to India. Bangladesh, though relatively consistent, defeated Afghanistan in the group stage and Sri Lanka in their Super Four opener, keeping themselves firmly in contention to reach the final hurdle regardless of their result over India.

The key worry for the men in green remains their misfiring top order, with Fakhar Zaman and Sahibzada Farhan in comparatively decent form, and while the Tigers appear more balanced in that regard, with Towhid Hridoy rediscovering touch and opener Saif Hassan proving to be somewhat of a revelation. Wily fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman's rhythm, supported by spin options and discipline at the death overs, could well make the difference.

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Pakistan's campaign has not been without recovery signs, but their victory over Sri Lanka reflected their resilience. Afridi is again leading with the ball, Abrar Ahmed has offered control, and even their depth has been questioned with Haris Rauf left out early on. Yet eyebrows were raised when Mohammad Nawaz was overlooked in successive matches, despite coach Mike Hesson once hailing him as the "world's best left-arm spinner" -- a claim that drew derision online.

Now, two-time champions Pakistan must win tonight to keep their final hopes alive, while the Tigers -- yet to secure silverware in multi-nation competition -- will again aim to be on the cusp of a historic chapter.

The backdrop is familiar, the stakes immense.