Bangladesh head coach Javier Cabrera introduced two alterations to the side that beat Sri Lanka 4-0. Rahmat Mia replaced Saad Uddin, who suffered an Achilles injury in that game, while Shuki Itofusa came in for Mohammad Ibrahim. Both players had already featured as substitutes in the Sri Lanka match.

The Bangladesh XI lined up with Mehedi Hasan Srabon in goal; a back four of Tariq Kazi, Zidane Yousuf, Zayyan Ahmed and Rahmat Mia; a midfield trio of captain Hamza Choudhury, Shamit Shome and Syed Shah Quazem Kirmanee; and a front three of Rakib Hossain, Shuki Itofusa and Farhaan Ali Wahid. Topu Barman and Bishwanath Ghosh, who had trained with the squad, were not included.

Pakistan made five changes after the opening of the FIFA international window allowed several overseas-based players to join the camp. Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Abdul Samad Shahzad, Ali Akbar Khan and Adil Nabi all started, with Iqbal wearing the captain's armband.

Pakistan's line-up featured Yousuf Ijaz Butt in goal; a defence of Mohib Ullah, Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman and Abdul Samad Shahzad; midfielders Muhammad Ali Akbar Khan, Mckeal Aroon and Junaid Ahmed; and forwards Ali Uzair, Haris Zeb and Adil Nabi.

The winner of the semi-final will advance to the SAFF Championship final. Both teams are seeking their first regional title since the tournament's inception.

The match kicked off on Saturday evening at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka. No result was available at the time of publication.