Abdul Samad Arshad scored the decisive goal in the 85th minute at the National Stadium, sending Pakistan into the final scheduled for November 17, where they will face arch-rivals India.
The closely contested match remained goalless for most of the game, with both sides hitting the woodwork in the first half. Pakistan, meanwhile, delivered a disciplined performance to keep the hosts at bay.
Pakistan started brightly and put Bangladesh under pressure in the opening minutes. However, the hosts gradually settled into the game and began creating scoring opportunities.
Bangladesh threatened in the seventh minute when Kazem Shah attempted a shot on goal, but the Pakistani goalkeeper comfortably saved the effort, which lacked sufficient power to cause serious trouble.
The hosts struggled to break through Pakistan’s physically strong defence, with most of their attacks being stopped before they could enter the penalty area.
As the first half progressed, the contest became more balanced. Bangladesh came close to taking the lead when Rakib unleashed a powerful shot after connecting with Shomit Shome’s header.
The Pakistani goalkeeper initially managed to stop the attempt, but the ball slipped through his hands and struck the post, denying Bangladesh the opening goal.
Around the half-hour mark, following the cooling break, Pakistan launched a counterattack. A lapse in marking by Tariq Kazi gave Abdul Samad space to take a shot, but his effort also struck the woodwork.
Despite an entertaining and tense first half, neither side managed to find the net, and the teams went into the break level at 0-0.
The second half was equally competitive, with Pakistan continuing to trouble the hosts. Five minutes before the final whistle, Abdul Samad Arshad broke the deadlock with a decisive strike to put Pakistan ahead.
Bangladesh pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing minutes, but Pakistan held on to its lead and sealed a memorable victory to book a place in the final.
Coached by Norberto Solano, Pakistan had reached the semi-finals after finishing as runners-up in Group B. The team began its campaign with a 2-3 defeat against India but bounced back strongly with a 3-0 victory over the Maldives. Young striker Najeebullah Khan scored twice in that match.
Pakistan received a major boost ahead of the knockout stage when five overseas-based players — Abdullah Iqbal, Essa Suleiman, Ali Akbar Khan, Adil Nabi and Abdul Samad Shehzad — joined the squad.
The players had missed the group-stage matches because they were held outside the FIFA international window.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, had topped Group A unbeaten after defeating Bhutan 1-0 and Sri Lanka 4-0. The hosts were aiming to secure their second regional title after winning the tournament in 2003.
Pakistan will now face India in the final, with the national team aiming to lift the SAFF Championship trophy.
