Shahid Afridi has smashed the second fastest one-day half-century and Ahmed Shehzad hit a ton to give Pakistan a three wicket win over Bangladesh and a place in the Asia Cup final.

 

The 34-year-old, who hit two consecutive sixes to give Pakistan a one-wicket win over India on Sunday, was once again Pakistan’s saviour as they chased down their highest-ever target of 327 in 49.5 overs in Dhaka on Tuesday.

 

Afridi overshadowed a brilliant 123-ball 103 by opener Ahmed Shehzad and a sedate 74 by Fawad Alam who both set the tone for the chase, but it was the aggression of Afridi which helped Pakistan overcome a tough resistance from the hosts.

 

Pakistan will meet Sri Lanka in Saturday’s final.

 

Afridi, who went into bat with Pakistan needing 101 off 52 balls, smashed paceman Shafiul Islam for a four to reach fifty off just 18 balls, one short of one-day cricket’s fastest-ever half-century record held by Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, made against Pakistan in Singapore in 1996.

 

He equalled his own record of second fastest one-day fifty, set twice by him. He scored an 18-ball fifty during his 37-ball hundred against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996 and another 18-ball fifty against the Netherlands at Colombo in 2002.

 

In all, Afridi hit seven sixes and two boundaries off just 25 balls.

 

Pakistan’s previous best run chase in a one-day was 6-322 against India at Mohali in 2007.

 

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq praised Afridi as “hero”.

 

“He’s really playing well and he’s cashing into his form which is really good for us,” said Misbah.

 

“Everybody knows the kind of player he (Afridi) is when he is in full swing and nobody can stop him.”

 

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim admitted Afridi snatched the game.

 

“When Afridi plays like that there was very little we can do. He took away the game,” said Rahim. (AAP)