Abdul Samad's explosive 22 runs off just five balls in the 10th over turned the semi-final decisively Pakistan's way. The match was effectively decided in that single over, bowled by Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman, when Pakistan still needed 36 runs from 24 balls.
Pakistan's place in their first-ever Asian Games cricket final ends a long wait for the men's team. They will now face world champions India on October 3 for the gold medal, after India dismantled Sri Lanka by 124 runs in the other semi-final on the same day.
Bangladesh had posted 111-7 after Pakistan asked them to bat on a heavily cracked pitch at Korogi Athletic Park Stadium in Nagoya. Pakistan's bowlers had Bangladesh reeling at 21-3 and then 45-4 in the sixth over. Towhid Hridoy led a recovery with 42 off 25 balls with two fours and four sixes. Pakistan lost three early wickets chasing quick runs but recovered from 53-4 when Samad and Hasan Nawaz came together. The pair posted an unbroken 59-run stand in 32 balls as Pakistan cruised home with nine balls to spare.
Pakistan batsman Saim Ayub, who scored 21, said: "All we care about is winning the final, no matter who we are playing against."