India Vs Pakistan Asia Cup Final Possibility Alive After Sri Lanka Succumb To 2nd Loss – Scenarios Explained | Cricket News

Last Updated:September 24, 2025, 14:52 IST

Salman Ali Agha’s Pakistan defeat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the Asia Cup Super 4s, boosting hopes for an India vs Pakistan final.

After the Suryakumar Yadav-led team beat Pakistan and Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka, the clash between the latter and Pakistan on Tuesday became a do-or-die match.

Pakistan pacers put the Sri Lankan batters through the wringer despite Kamindu Mendis’ fine half-century, restricting them to an under-par 133/8.

Sent into bat, Sri Lanka made a woeful start, losing in-form Kusal Mendis in the second delivery and an over later Pathum Nissanka, their most consistent batter in the tournament, too walked back.

On a night that offered plenty of seam movement to pacers, ace Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi (3/28) made the first strike, eliciting an uppish flick from Mendis that ended with Talat.

The victory over Sri Lanka propelled Pakistan to second place in the Super 4s table, level on two points with arch-rivals India and Bangladesh but ahead of the latter on net run rate. While Pakistan have an NRR of 0.22, Bangladesh are at 0.12.

The situation is straightforward: if India defeat Bangladesh in Dubai on Wednesday, Sri Lanka, winless with a negative net run rate, will be eliminated and India will bag a place in the final. That situation would leave Thursday’s Pakistan vs Bangladesh match as a semifinal, with the victor joining India in the summit clash.

If Bangladesh manage to upset the defending champions, the Super 4s race will stay wide open, preserving the mathematical chances for all four sides.

India and Pakistan would still require victories in their respective final games to confirm qualification, while Bangladesh would be at the top on four points but not yet guaranteed.