<p>Pakistan tuned up for the tri-series final against hosts New Zealand with a nerve-wracking seven-wicket win over Bangladesh on Thursday after Mohammad Nawaz secured victory with just a ball to spare.</p>.<p>Litton Das, who brushed off an early leg strain to put in a gutsy performance, and captain Shakib Al Hasan both chalked up half centuries for Bangladesh to set Pakistan 174 to win in Christchurch.</p>.<p>In reply, Pakistan had to work for the win as allrounder Nawaz put in a match-changing innings of 45 off 20 balls.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/shaheens-fitness-crucial-to-pakistans-t20-world-cup-challenge-1152862.html" target="_blank">Shaheen's fitness crucial to Pakistan's T20 World Cup challenge</a></strong></p>.<p>With his side needing eight runs from the final over, Nawaz delivered by grabbing three doubles, then sealed the victory with a four squeezed between point and short third-man.</p>.<p>Pakistan face hosts New Zealand in Friday's final while Bangladesh finish on four straight defeats in the tri-series, a warm-up event ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.</p>.<p>Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan was the man of the match, but he immediately paid tribute to Nawaz.</p>.<p>"I'd like to credit Mohammad Nawaz as he made it easy in the end," said Rizwan, top-scorer with 69 runs off 56 balls.</p>.<p>"Nawaz's innings changed the momentum.</p>.<p>"Obviously, the win gives us confidence, but New Zealand is playing at home."</p>.<p>Bangladesh opener Das had earlier produced a gutsy display despite needing treatment for an early thigh strain.</p>.<p>While his opening partner Najmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya Sarkar were both caught early on, Das dug in with a superb 69 off 42 balls, firing six fours and two sixes around Hagley Oval.</p>.<p>After Das was finally caught by Mohammad Wasim, Shakib Al Hasan kept the scoreboard ticking over with 68 runs off 42 balls.</p>.<p>In reply, Pakistan openers Rizwan and Babar Azam put on a partnership of 101.</p>.<p>After reaching 55 runs off 40 balls, Azam was finally caught in the 12th over. Then Haider Ali immediately went for a duck, clean bowled by Hasan Mahmud.</p>.<p>At 101-2, Pakistan were under pressure.</p>.<p>But Nawaz wrestled the match away from Bangladesh with a stunning four, then a six and another four off three consecutive balls in the 15th over.</p>.<p>Bangladesh took the game to the wire when Rizwan was finally caught at deep cover.</p>.<p>However, Nawaz kept his cool to see Pakistan home.</p>.<p>"It's been difficult, but we played our best game today," said disappointed Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan.</p>
<p>Pakistan tuned up for the tri-series final against hosts New Zealand with a nerve-wracking seven-wicket win over Bangladesh on Thursday after Mohammad Nawaz secured victory with just a ball to spare.</p>.<p>Litton Das, who brushed off an early leg strain to put in a gutsy performance, and captain Shakib Al Hasan both chalked up half centuries for Bangladesh to set Pakistan 174 to win in Christchurch.</p>.<p>In reply, Pakistan had to work for the win as allrounder Nawaz put in a match-changing innings of 45 off 20 balls.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/shaheens-fitness-crucial-to-pakistans-t20-world-cup-challenge-1152862.html" target="_blank">Shaheen's fitness crucial to Pakistan's T20 World Cup challenge</a></strong></p>.<p>With his side needing eight runs from the final over, Nawaz delivered by grabbing three doubles, then sealed the victory with a four squeezed between point and short third-man.</p>.<p>Pakistan face hosts New Zealand in Friday's final while Bangladesh finish on four straight defeats in the tri-series, a warm-up event ahead of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia.</p>.<p>Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan was the man of the match, but he immediately paid tribute to Nawaz.</p>.<p>"I'd like to credit Mohammad Nawaz as he made it easy in the end," said Rizwan, top-scorer with 69 runs off 56 balls.</p>.<p>"Nawaz's innings changed the momentum.</p>.<p>"Obviously, the win gives us confidence, but New Zealand is playing at home."</p>.<p>Bangladesh opener Das had earlier produced a gutsy display despite needing treatment for an early thigh strain.</p>.<p>While his opening partner Najmul Hossain Shanto and Soumya Sarkar were both caught early on, Das dug in with a superb 69 off 42 balls, firing six fours and two sixes around Hagley Oval.</p>.<p>After Das was finally caught by Mohammad Wasim, Shakib Al Hasan kept the scoreboard ticking over with 68 runs off 42 balls.</p>.<p>In reply, Pakistan openers Rizwan and Babar Azam put on a partnership of 101.</p>.<p>After reaching 55 runs off 40 balls, Azam was finally caught in the 12th over. Then Haider Ali immediately went for a duck, clean bowled by Hasan Mahmud.</p>.<p>At 101-2, Pakistan were under pressure.</p>.<p>But Nawaz wrestled the match away from Bangladesh with a stunning four, then a six and another four off three consecutive balls in the 15th over.</p>.<p>Bangladesh took the game to the wire when Rizwan was finally caught at deep cover.</p>.<p>However, Nawaz kept his cool to see Pakistan home.</p>.<p>"It's been difficult, but we played our best game today," said disappointed Bangladesh captain Shakib al Hasan.</p>