The hosts had gone in front with just six minutes gone when Milan Nikolic fired past Al Ittihad keeper Mabrouk Zaid but Al Saqri rifled home the equaliser 19 minutes from time to put Gabriel Calderon's side in pole position to seal a spot in the last four.

Nikolic took advantage of a hesitant Al Ittihad backline to give Pakhtakor an early lead as he burst into the box and beat Zaid with a composed finish, although there were suspicions of offside.

It was proving a cagey affair with chances at a premium and Pakhtakor striker Alexander Geynrikh and Al Ittihad defender Hamad Al Montashari let their frustrations get the better of them in a confrontation just before the break.

Hicham Aboucherouane smacked the Pakhtakor bar just before the hour mark with a tremendous long-range free-kick before the midfielder wasted a good chance moments later when he shot weakly into the arms of goalkeeper Temur Juraev.

However, the equaliser came with just under a quarter of the match remaining although there was a touch of good fortune about it.

Anzur Ismailov's attempted clearance hit Al Montashari in the face and fell into the path of Al Saqri on the left-hand side of the box.

The defender took full advantage, rifling a powerful shot into the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar from a tight angle.

Pakhtakor captain Odil Ahmedov could have grabbed a winner in stoppage time but opted for placement over power and sidefooted straight at Zaid from the edge of the box.