Pakistan kept their Asia Cup 2025 campaign alive with a crucial victory over Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. The five-wicket win not only secured two vital points but also opened multiple qualification paths for a spot in the final.
With this triumph, Pakistan moved up to second place in the Super Four table, trailing India only on net run rate. Both India and Bangladesh also have two points each, but Pakistan’s superior run rate puts them ahead of Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, after suffering back-to-back defeats, slipped to the bottom of the standings.
For Pakistan, the qualification picture is fairly straightforward: their next clash against Bangladesh on Thursday will decide their fate. If India defeats Bangladesh on Wednesday, the Pakistan-Bangladesh encounter will effectively turn into a virtual semi-final, with the winner advancing to the final.
However, if Bangladesh manages to upset India, the situation becomes more complex. In such a case, Pakistan must beat Bangladesh convincingly and also keep an eye on net run rate, as three teams could end up tied on points.
Sri Lanka’s chances, on the other hand, are slim. The defending champions must defeat India in their final game and hope Bangladesh beats both Pakistan and India. Even then, Sri Lanka’s qualification would rely heavily on a drastic improvement in their net run rate.
For now, Pakistan’s destiny remains in their own hands. A victory over Bangladesh could confirm their spot in the final, setting up a possible blockbuster showdown with arch-rivals India for the Asia Cup title.
