Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan finally opened their account in the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four stage on Tuesday night, claiming a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in a low-scoring contest at the Dubai International Stadium. After restricting the Sri Lankan side to a modest 133-run total, Pakistan chased down the target comfortably in 18 overs, thanks largely to a crucial partnership between Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat. Nawaz and Talat’s composed batting under pressure ensured that Pakistan secured their first points of the Super Four stage, keeping their hopes of reaching the final alive.
Qualification Scenario For Sri Lanka
Despite suffering back-to-back defeats, Sri Lanka are still mathematically in contention for a place in the Asia Cup final. Charith Asalanka and his side now face a high-pressure scenario, as their qualification depends not only on their final match result but also on the outcomes of other teams’ games. Sri Lanka will need a victory over India in their last Super Four encounter on September 26 to keep their hopes alive.
Sri Lanka’s Complex Path to the Final
Sri Lanka’s route to the final is heavily dependent on other matches in the Super Four stage. Currently, both India and Pakistan have two points each, with upcoming matches against Bangladesh before Sri Lanka’s final clash. If India lose both of their matches to Bangladesh, and Pakistan win only one, the points table could open up, providing Sri Lanka with a pathway to the final.
However, if India defeat Bangladesh, Sri Lanka must not only beat India but also rely on Bangladesh upsetting Pakistan in their respective match. This scenario would bring Net Run Rate (NRR) into play, with NRR calculations among Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka likely deciding the second finalist.
Bangladesh Matches Key to Sri Lanka’s Hopes
Bangladesh’s performance in their remaining matches is crucial. A victory for Bangladesh over India could simplify Sri Lanka’s task, as they would only need to beat India to have a chance of qualifying. Conversely, if Bangladesh manage to defeat both India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka would still require a win over India, with NRR among India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka determining the final qualifier.
Final Clash Set to Be Decisive
With the Super Four stage reaching its climax, the upcoming matches promise to be thrilling. Pakistan have gained momentum with their win over Sri Lanka, India will aim to consolidate their position, and Sri Lanka must overcome the odds to stay in the hunt. The Asia Cup 2025 final qualification could ultimately come down to small margins, particularly Net Run Rate, making every run and wicket in the remaining matches critically important.