Team India showcased their dominance by besting Sri Lanka with a comfortable 41-run victory having paved a triumphant path to the Asia Cup 2023 final on Tuesday night. This remarkable performance has now paved the way for a tantalising prospect: a potential final clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, an encounter yet to be witnessed in the storied history of the Asia Cup.
Charting a formidable trajectory, within a mere 24-hour window, the Indian Cricket team vanquished both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, stamping their authority. Now, the upcoming skirmish between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is set to unveil the contender facing India in the Asia Cup finale.
With India sealing their spot, the cricketing world's attention has shifted to the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka showdown. Yet, looming dark clouds hint that the weather might play spoilsport, casting an uncertain shadow over the highly anticipated match.
Fans of the Pakistani side are ardently rooting for their team's win over Sri Lanka, hoping for a ticket to the finals. Given the exit of Bangladesh and both Pakistan and Sri Lanka standing at 2 points each, the stakes couldn't be higher. However, the scales tip slightly in favour of Sri Lanka courtesy of a superior net run rate. Hence, Pakistan, with the pressure mounting, knows that their path to the final mandates a victory against Sri Lanka.
A twist in the tale: should rain intervene causing a washout, Sri Lanka, boasting a net run rate of -0.20 compared to Pakistan's -1.89, would secure their berth in the grand finale. A substantial part of Pakistan's adverse net rate can be attributed to their staggering 228-run defeat at the hands of India.
For cricket aficionados marking their calendars, the Asia Cup 2023 FINAL is scheduled for 17 September in the heart of Colombo. Come Thursday, the cricketing universe will know whether it's Pakistan or Sri Lanka locking horns with India.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK
Asia Cup 2023: Ravindra Jadeja downs Irfan Pathan to top special records list for bowlers
Qualification scenarios: Can Sri Lanka rain on fans' parade, prevent a first-ever India vs Pakistan final in Asia Cup 2023
