And when the match kicks off at the People's Sports Complex Stadium at 7pm Bangladesh time, the boys of Diego Cruciani will draw inspiration from the victory in the great Liberation War in 1971 in this month of pain and pleasure.

The holders will retain a full-strength side in the do-or-die battle with the seven players rested in the last ground league game against India returning.

Runners-up Maldives play India in the first semifinal also today at the same venue at 4pm (BST).

Although Pakistan hold an edge in their previous seven meetings with four wins, Bangladesh, however, go into the latest clash with a refreshing memory of a 4-0 thrashing when the two team's last met in the 1999 SAFF Championship in Goa.

It is the third time that Bangladesh are playing Pakistan on their home soil in full internationals. Bangladesh eliminated Pakistan 2-1 in the semifinals of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in 1985 before losing to North Korea by a solitary-goal defeat in the final. Pakistan took their revenge by beating Bangladesh 1-0 in the final of the SAF Games in 1989.

The other Bangladesh victory came at the 1985 SAF Games in Dhaka when the hosts won 2-1.

Pakistan will miss Imran Hossain after the key striker picked two yellow cards but Bangladesh will also field their full-strength side -- the team that started in the first two games -- after nine players were rested against India on Monday.