Shahid Afridi smashed back-to-back sixes in the final over to clinch a dramatic one-wicket win over India in their Asian Cup clash in Mirpur.

With just last-man Junaid Khan in support, Afridi launched Ravichandran Ashwin over the ropes to move Pakistan a step closer to claiming a place in the final.

India, who had posted 245 for eight, now face the prospect of missing out on next Saturday's decider after their death bowling was again called into question.

It had looked very different when Bhuvneshwar Kumar struck twice in the penultimate over to leave Pakistan needing 10 from the final six balls.

Ashwin then immediately bowled Saeed Ajmal around his legs, but when Junaid got off strike Afridi (34 not out) ended the game in typically brutal fashion with two balls to spare.

Rohit Sharma (56) and Ambati Rayudu (58) hit half-centuries for India before Ravindra Jadeja smacked an unbeaten 52 from 49 balls to leave Pakistan with a testing total to chase on a slow pitch.

Ajmal underlined the effectiveness of the slow bowlers with three for 40, while Mohammad Hafeez and debutant Mohammad Talha grabbed two wickets apiece.

Hafeez then paced the Pakistan chase with 75, from 117 balls, but was fifth man out in the 44th over with 200 on the board.

Afridi picked up the slack and while the tail fell around him the all-rounder dramatically dragged his side across the line, finishing unbeaten on 34 from 18 balls.