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Explained: How Sri Lanka can still qualify for Asia Cup 2025 final after crushing loss vs Pakistan

Debashis Sarangi

Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka on Tuesday [Source: AFP]Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka on Tuesday [Source: AFP]

On Tuesday night, Pakistan opened their account on the Asia Cup Super Four points table, defeating Sri Lanka by five wickets. After restricting the Lankans to a modest 133-run total, Pakistan chased the target successfully in eighteen overs, riding on a valiant partnership between Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat. 

Interestingly, despite losing two consecutive matches, Sri Lanka are mathematically alive in the Asia Cup final race. As Charith Asalanka and his troops gear up for their final game against India, here’s what they need to do to qualify for the final. 

Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup final qualification scenarios after defeat vs Pak

In order to qualify for the Asia Cup final, Sri Lanka must defeat India in their last Super Four encounter, scheduled for September 26. However, they need two results to go their way before their final appearance in this round of the competition. 

Currently, India and Pakistan have two points each and have their matches coming up against Bangladesh before Sri Lanka’s final clash. If the Tigers lose both matches, India and Pakistan will register two victories each and meet in the final, with both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh getting eliminated from the tournament. 

If Bangladesh beat India, Sri Lanka must hope that they also beat Pakistan and win their last game against the Indians. In that case, all three of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will have two points each and the qualification will eventually come down to their Net Run Rates (NRR).  

Meanwhile, if Bangladesh win only one of these two games and lose the other, Sri Lanka will mark their exit from the tournament. For example, if Bangladesh defeat India but lose to Pakistan, both Bangladesh and Pakistan will have two wins each. 

In this case, India will need to beat Sri Lanka to qualify for the final based on NRR. However, if Bangladesh lose to India but beat Pakistan, India and Bangladesh will qualify for the final, with Sri Lanka and Pakistan missing out.