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Pakistan produced a disciplined performance to beat hosts Bangladesh 1-0 and reach the SAFF Championship final, where they will face arch-rivals India.<\/strong><\/p>\n Abdul Samad Arshad scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute at the National Stadium in Dhaka, ending Bangladesh\u2019s hopes of reaching the final on home soil.<\/p>\n The closely fought semi-final was goalless at half-time, with both teams hitting the woodwork in an evenly balanced first period.<\/p>\n Pakistan made a positive start and put the hosts under pressure, but Bangladesh gradually settled and created their first opportunity in the seventh minute when Kazem Shah tested the Pakistan goalkeeper with a shot on target.<\/p>\n The hosts found it difficult to break through Pakistan\u2019s defence, but came close to taking the lead when Rakib\u2019s powerful effort, following a header from Shamit Shome, slipped through the goalkeeper\u2019s hands and struck the post.<\/p>\n Pakistan also went close before the break. Abdus Samad found space after Tariq Kazi lost track of his marking, but his effort hit the post.<\/p>\n The second half remained competitive, with Pakistan frustrating the hosts before Arshad struck five minutes from time.<\/p>\n Bangladesh pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but Pakistan held on to secure a place in the final on 17 November.<\/p>\n Nolberto Solano\u2019s side had reached the last four after finishing second in Group B. They lost 3-2 to India in their opening match before recovering with a 3-0 victory over the Maldives, with teenage striker Najeeb Ullah Khan scoring twice.<\/p>\n Pakistan were also strengthened by the arrival of five overseas-based players before the semi-final: Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Ali Akbar Khan, Adil Nabi and Abdul Samad Shahzad. They had missed the group-stage matches because they fell outside the FIFA international window.<\/p>\n Pakistan will now meet India in the final as they bid to win the regional title.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n