Advantage Pakistan in virtual Asia Cup semi-final against Bangladesh, says Venkatesh Prasad

"India assured themselves of a place in the final with a thumping win over Pakistan. Their opponents in the title clash will be known when Pakistan take on Bangladesh in the Super Four encounter in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. Having pulled off a last-over win against Afghanistan on Sunday night, Bangladesh, who lost the 2012 final at home to Pakistan, will have to play brave cricket to earn themselves a shot against Rohit Sharma's team. Pakistan, who have been outplayed by India in all departments not once but twice in the tournament, will have to regroup in quick time. Given both the teams' inconsistency in the tournament, I'll still hand Pakistan an edge over Bangladesh.

"That said, both teams - not in their best form - will have to show character and form in plenty in the virtual semi-final. The sides have lacked the X-factor. Failure of the top-order, poor fielding and lack of bite in the bowling has been their bane. With their backs to the wall, Bangladesh did well to hold their nerve to pull off a three-run win against Afghanistan and that should give them the added motivation to go all out against Pakistan," Prasad wrote in his column for TOI.

"Bangladesh skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has to shake off the rust. The seasoned pacer has lost pace and looks a pale shadow of his younger self. Injuries have slowed him down and he's definitely lost the bite in his bowling. The dangerous off-cutters and yorkers which the batsmen once dreaded are missing from his armour. Mortaza will have to reinvent himself quickly to stay relevant," Prasad concluded.