Pakistan’s victory over Sri Lanka intensifies the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Stage, leading to a tight race among India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan for the final.
Pakistan’s five-wicket victory against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi has dramatically reshaped the Asia Cup 2025 Super Four Stage, creating a three-way battle that promises a thrilling conclusion to the tournament. India, Bangladesh and Pakistan are now entangled in this tug-of-war to be in the summit clash of the tournament.
Today, September 24, will see India take on Bangladesh. Before that match, here is a glimpse of how things are and what the three teams need to do to be in the grand finale of the tournament.
Current Standings
| Team | Matches | Wins | Loss | Points | Net Run Rate |
| India | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.689 |
| Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +0.226 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.121 |
| Sri Lanka | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -0.59 |
Remaining Matches
- India vs Bangladesh (September 24)
- Pakistan vs Bangladesh (September 25)
- India vs Sri Lanka (September 26)
Team by team breakdown
India
India control their own destiny in the tournament with the best net run rate and two matches still remaining. A victory over Bangladesh in their next outing would virtually ensure their spot in the final. Their superior NRR provides them a crucial buffer in case of potential tie scenarios. Even a defeat wouldn’t eliminate India, and they would just need to win against Sri Lanka to stay in the hunt.
Pakistan
Pakistan’s win over Sri Lanka has revitalised their campaign. If India win against Bangladesh, then the Thursday clash between Pakistan and the Tigers becomes a virtual semi-final. On the other hand, if Bangladesh win against India, Pakistan will have to defeat them and then wait for the result between India and Sri Lanka to find their way into the summit clash.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh are probably in the most intriguing position at the moment. They face the unique scheduling challenge, playing twice in 24 hours and that too against India and Pakistan.
If they win against India, they strengthen their chances to be in the final of the tournament but it would not be guaranteed given the fact that they have the worst net run rate of the three contenders. Going by this path, they need to win big against India and then ensure that Pakistan don’t go over their net run rate even if they are defeated. However, if they take the L against India, they get engaged in a do-or-die battle against Pakistan.
The road ahead
Two prime scenarios emerge: If India beat Bangladesh, Pakistan vs Bangladesh becomes a winner-takes-all for the second spot in the final. Should Bangladesh upset India, the tournament enters complex net run rate territory, with the final day potentially deciding qualification.
The article originally appeared on Hindustan Times
