With India already sealing a spot in the final, this contest will decide who gets another shot at the tournament favourites.
Pakistan enter the clash slightly better placed, having brushed aside Sri Lanka before falling to India.
Despite the defeat, captain Salman Agha has emphasised stability in selection, hinting that only one or two batting slots, currently involving Hussain Talat, Hasan Nawaz, and Khushdil Shah, remain under discussion.
Pakistan’s bowling, led by Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, has looked threatening, while Abrar Ahmed continues to be a go-to option in crunch moments.
Bangladesh, however, arrive with less certainty. After making sweeping changes against India, they are still searching for their best combination.
Litton Das’s injury has further complicated matters, and stand-in captain Jaker Ali has left his inclusion to a last-minute call. Saif Hassan has been the lone bright spot with back-to-back fifties, but lack of support from the rest of the batting lineup remains a major concern.
Their bowling, though, was commendable in restricting India to just 96 runs in the last 14 overs.
The Dubai surface has offered balance between bat and ball, with scoring not coming freely. Pakistan may look to restore Saim Ayub at the top, while Bangladesh must decide whether to bring back experienced campaigners Taskin Ahmed and Mahedi Hasan.
With political overtones off the field and fierce competition on it, Thursday’s game is set to be more than just a semifinal, it’s a battle of resilience, strategy, and temperament. Both sides know that a win not only secures a final berth but also another chance to challenge Suryakumar Yadav’s India.
