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Explained: How Sri Lanka can still make Asia Cup 2025 final despite five-wicket defeat against Pakistan in Super Four tie

Sports Tak

Sports Tak

UPDATED:

Explained: How Sri Lanka can still make Asia Cup 2025 final despite five-wicket defeat against Pakistan in Super Four tie
Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana (C) celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman during the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Twenty20 international cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Story Highlights:

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by five wickets.

Sri Lanka lost both their Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clashes.

Sri Lanka's hopes of reaching the Asia Cup 2025 final have been dented after they suffered a five-wicket defeat against Pakistan at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The Charith Asalanka-led side has lost its first two Super Four clashes of the tournament, and they have just one game in the Super Four stage. The road to the final is now out of their hands, full of tricky calculations.

However, the 2022 Asia Cup winners are not out of the race yet. Here's what needs to happen for Sri Lanka to keep their Asia Cup dream alive. 

Sri Lanka qualification scenario

First, they need a huge favour from their rivals, Bangladesh. They must beat both India and Pakistan, and not just scrape through. Bangladesh would need to win both matches by big margins to boost their net run rate.

Then, Sri Lanka must beat India, and again, by a significant margin. That would give their own net run rate a much-needed lift.

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If all of this goes their way, the Super Four could end with India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka all tied on points. In that case, it’ll come down to net run rate to decide which two teams move on to the final. It’s a long shot, and it requires a perfect set of results, but the door is still slightly open. However, if India defeats Bangladesh in their second Super Four clash, then Sri Lanka will be out of the race. 

India are scheduled to face Bangladesh in their second Super Four clash, which will take place on September 24 at Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. 

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka

Coming back to the clash, Pakistan huffed and puffed but defeated Sri Lanka by five wickets in a low-scoring Asia Cup Super Fours contest. Chasing an under-par target of 134, Pakistan first raced to 45 for no loss in five overs only to slump to 80 for five in the next seven overs. Hussain Talat (32 not out) and Mohammad Nawaz (38 not out) then took them over the line. Pakistan won with two overs to spare.