Bangladesh last lifted the SAFF Championship trophy in 2003. Twenty-three years have passed since. With the tournament being hosted at home, the red-and-green representatives had a golden opportunity to erase that long-standing regret.

However, the hosts failed to capitalize, as Jamal and Hamza's SAFF title dream was shattered following a semifinal defeat to Pakistan.

On Saturday (November 14), Pakistan defeated Bangladesh 1–0 at the National Stadium in Dhaka. Abdul Shahzad became the hero by scoring the lone goal in the 84th minute.

From the very beginning of the match, the Bangladeshi defense had to weather Pakistani attacks.

The hosts took the field with two changes in their starting lineup: Shuki Itoifusa replaced Mohammad Ibrahim, and Rahmat Mia stepped in for Saad Uddin, who was sidelined due to injury.

Driven by fast-paced football and end-to-end attacks, the Bangladesh-Pakistan semifinal turned into a thrilling contest.

Both teams created scoring opportunities, but neither could find the back of the net. The first half ended in a goalless stalemate.

In just the 2nd minute, Pakistan put Bangladesh under pressure with their opening attack.

Goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon dove to his left to parry away a thunderous long-range shot from outside the box by Ali Uzair.

Bangladesh found their rhythm by the 7th minute, when Kazem Shah fired a weak, low shot from outside the box that was easily gathered by the Pakistani goalkeeper.

In the 16th minute, Rakib Hossain unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, which Pakistan cleared at the expense of a corner.

Bangladesh squandered a glorious chance in the 23rd minute.

Following a corner from Farhan Ali Wahid, Rakib received a header from Shamit Shome.

Although Rakib unleashed a powerful, low left-footed shot, it deflected off the goalkeeper's hands and hit the underside of the crossbar before Pakistan's Junaid Ahmed cleared the danger.

Following the cooling break in the 32nd minute, Bangladesh escaped a major scare.

Amidst a goalmouth scramble, Tariq Kazi failed to properly mark Abdul Samad Azad.

Receiving the ball, Samad took a shot that struck the lower part of the post and rebounded back, with Zidan Yusuf clearing the clearance.

In the 41st minute, Bangladesh created yet another chance when Shuki Itoifusa's fierce shot sailed narrowly over the crossbar. Throughout the first half, the hosts were repeatedly left frustrated after creating multiple chances.

Even after the restart, Bangladesh maintained pressure on the Pakistan defense, launching wave after wave of attack. Although attacks were frequently generated down Itoifusa's flank, breaching the Pakistani goalkeeper proved exceedingly difficult.

Farhan made an attempt in the 61st minute, and just a minute later, Mohammad Ibrahim replaced Shuki Itoifusa on the pitch.

In the 76th minute, Bishwanath Ghosh came on for Rahmat Mia.

Shortly before that, Pakistan won a free-kick just outside the box following a foul by Hamza; Adil Nabi's resulting shot was denied by Srabon, who dove to his left. Moments later, Haris Ali's shot flew over the crossbar.

In the 82nd minute, Srabon dove to his right to stop a powerful shot from Abdul Samad.

However, three minutes later, Bangladesh conceded a devastating and unfortunate goal.

Srabon initially gathered an opponent's shot, but while attempting a long throw, he accidentally delivered the ball straight to the feet of a Pakistani player.

From there, Abdul Shahzad surged into the box and slotted a brilliant, aesthetic shot past Zidan and Zayan into the net. Srabon dove, but could not reach the ball.

Desperate to equalize after conceding, Bangladesh brought on Jamal Bhuyan, Fahamidul, and Faisal Ahmed Fahim during stoppage time.

Play was briefly halted prior to that when a flare was lit on the pitch. Although action resumed, Bangladesh failed to find an equalizer.

Meanwhile, Pakistan celebrated reaching the SAFF final for the first time in their history.

Tensions flared in the closing moments of the match, nearly resulting in a scuffle between the players of both teams, though the situation did not escalate further.