(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 Path Complicated After Loss to India
September 22, 2025
Pakistan remain in the hunt for the Asia Cup 2025 final, but their journey has become more uncertain following a key Super Four defeat against India. The team’s qualification now could depend heavily on net run rate (NRR).
Even winning both remaining matches may not guarantee a spot, while in certain scenarios, a single win could be enough to advance.
Scenarios for Qualification
-
If India win all three Super Four matches, and Pakistan defeat Bangladesh but lose to Sri Lanka, India would advance with three wins. The remaining teams would each have one win, leaving NRR to determine the second finalist.
-
Another scenario: Pakistan defeats both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, India beats Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh causes an upset over India. In this case, three teams would end with two wins apiece, again making NRR the deciding factor.
-
The most straightforward path occurs if both Pakistan and India win all their remaining matches. India would finish with three wins, Pakistan with two, Bangladesh one, and Sri Lanka none, securing a clear route to the final on September 26.
Pakistan’s Defeat Against India
Pakistan’s challenge intensified after their Super Four clash in Dubai on Sunday. Posting 171–5, they were unable to defend the total as India chased it down in 18.5 overs.
Key performances from Abhishek Sharma (74 off 39) and Shubman Gill (47 off 28) powered India to a six-wicket victory, strengthening their NRR advantage and putting pressure on Pakistan for the remaining matches.
Bangladesh Edge Sri Lanka
In another Super Four match, Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka in a tight contest. Chasing 169, Bangladesh clinched victory by four wickets with just one ball to spare.
-
Saif Hassan (61) and Towhid Hridoy (58) starred with the bat.
-
Mustafizur Rahman led the bowling with figures of 3–20.
-
Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka fought back with an unbeaten 64 off 37, but it wasn’t enough.
This result has opened up multiple qualification pathways, making NRR a likely key factor in deciding who reaches the final.
Remaining Super Four Fixtures
-
September 23: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Abu Dhabi)
-
September 24: India vs Bangladesh (Dubai)
-
September 25: Pakistan vs Bangladesh (Dubai)
-
September 26: India vs Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Pakistan will need strong performances in both batting and bowling to stay in contention, while NRR could ultimately determine their fate in the tournament.
