For a while, it felt like Bangladesh were about to write a different story.

Pakistan had been reduced to 49 for 5, the Dubai stands were roaring with red-and-green flags, and a fourth Asia Cup final seemed within reach.

By the end of the night, the noise had gone quiet. Pakistan scraped to 135 for 8, and Bangladesh, chasing a modest 169, folded for 124, losing by 11 runs.

It was not the target that beat them so much as the manner of the chase. Parvez Hossain lasted two balls. Towhid Hridoy scratched to 5 off 10. Mahedi Hasan and Nurul Hasan never shifted gears. Even stand-in captain Jaker Ali, spoken as a power hitter and trusted with finisher’s role, managed only 5 off nine balls before nicking off.

Across six games, he did not clear the rope once — a telling stat for a player once labeled Bangladesh’s “big hitter in waiting.”

Asia Cup: Bangladesh need 136 runs in must-win clash against Pakistan

The only real resistance came from Shamim Hossain, who made 30 off 25, and Saif Hassan’s earlier 25. But wickets kept falling, and when Shamim departed, the match was gone.

The frustration was sharper because the bowlers had given Bangladesh a chance. Taskin Ahmed struck twice up front, Mahedi and Rishad chipped in, and the seamers strung together 55 dot balls. Yet catches went down, and Pakistan clawed past 130, a total that proved just enough.

So Pakistan march into Sunday’s final, where they will meet India in the first-ever Asia Cup title clash between the two rivals.

India secure Asia Cup final; Bangladesh face must-win clash against Pakistan

For Bangladesh, it was another night of ifs and buts — chances created but squandered, and a campaign that ended one step short of the finish line.