Rookie striker Zahid Hossain Emily struck a 77th-minute equaliser with a sublime shot to cancel India's 1-0 first-half lead, given by midfielder Climax Lawrence.

Bangladesh emerged Group B champions with a superior goal difference after they finished level with their regional rivals on seven points.

The holders will play Pakistan in the second semifinal under lights after the first between India and last year's runners-up Maldives on Wednesday.

Argentine coach Diego Cruciani showed faith in his reserve bench but the inexperienced squad, without nine first-team players, were chasing shadows against a full-strength India.

A left-wing centre by Manju helped India break the 17-minute deadlock when Mehtabuddin nodded the ball near the penalty spot and an unmarked Lawrence blasted a volley into the back of the net.

Striving to win the ball in the midfield, the Bangladesh reserves opened up the rival defence in the 39th minute for the first time but Abul, who dribbled past Manju into the box, saw his low drive partly blocked by Indian custodian Sandip Nandy before a defender cleared it.

Two minutes before half-time, centre-back Mehrajuddin, who had received his first booking on the half hour for kicking Ujjal in the face, was sent off with a second yellow card for arguing with Sri Lankan referee Hettikam Kanamge.

After the break, Cruciani's boys reasserted themselves and began to enjoy superior ball possession. Ujjal saw his low drive saved by Sandip at the near post in the 31st minute but the Indian goalkeeper had no clue a minute later when Emily, taking a pass from left fullback Parvez Babu just inside the box, turned on his heel to fool two rival defenders and lobbed an angled right footer into the far corner for his second goal of the meet.Bangladesh set up a semifinal clash against hosts Pakistan in the Fourth SAFF Championship when a second-string side of the defending champions drew 1-1 with ten-man India in the last group match