Bangladesh eye two changes for semifinal

With a place in the SAFF Championship final at stake, Bangladesh are to reshuffle their starting XI for today's showdown against Pakistan, bringing in Rahmat Mia and Shuki Itofusa for the injured Saad Uddin and Mohammad Ibrahim respectively.

The hosts take on Pakistan at the National Stadium at 8:30pm, hoping to book their place in the final for the first time since 2005 and move a step closer to ending their 23-year title drought.

Saad has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after suffering an Achilles tendon injury, leaving head coach Thomas Dooley with the task of reshuffling his defensive line. Rahmat, who came on as a substitute against Sri Lanka, is the candidate to fill the vacant right-back position.

The other change is in attack, where Shuki replaces Mohammad Ibrahim, who started as the central striker in Bangladesh's 4-0 victory over Sri Lanka. The change give the hosts a different option up front as they look to maintain their attacking momentum.

Mehedi Hasan Srabon is to retain his place in goal, with Tariq Raihan Kazi, Zidane Alexander Yousuf, Zayyan Ahmed and Rahmat forming the defensive line.

Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome and Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee are to feature in midfield, while Rakib Hossain and Farhaan Ali Wahid will operate alongside Shuki in the attacking line.

However, Pakistan are also to pose a stronger challenge after receiving a major boost with the arrival of five overseas-based players who missed the group stage because the tournament was held outside the FIFA international window.

Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Ali Akbar Khan, Adil Nabi and Abdul Samad Shahzad have joined the squad, giving coach Nolberto Solano added strength and depth in defence, midfield and attack.

The five players' arrival could significantly improve Pakistan's options after they opened their campaign with a 3-2 defeat to India before beating the Maldives 3-0 to reach the semi-finals.

Bangladesh, meanwhile, will look to build on their unbeaten group-stage campaign, in which they scored five goals without conceding.

Bangladesh XI: Mehedi Hasan Srabon; Tariq Raihan Kazi, Zidane Alexander Yousuf, Zayyan Ahmed, Rahmat Mia; Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome, Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee; Rakib Hossain, Shuki Itofusa, Farhaan Ali Wahid.