• Home
  • Cricket News
  • Explained How Sri Lanka Can Still Qualify For Asia Cup 2025 Final After Crushing Loss Vs Pakistan

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. 

How Bangladesh's matches against India and Pakistan can decide Sri Lanka's fate

If India win their match against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka would want the latter to beat Pakistan besides defeating India on Friday. It will eventually come down to the Net Run Rate of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. 

On the other hand, if Bangladesh beat India, Sri Lanka don't have to think too much about the result of Pakistan's encounter against the Tigers, as a victory for either of these teams won't lead to their elimination. That said, Sri Lanka must win their final game against India so that the qualification for the final will be decided by the NRR of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. 

Meanwhile, if Bangladesh manage to beat both India and Pakistan, Sri Lanka will still need a victory over India, with NRR of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka deciding the second finalist.