Pakistan kept their Asia Cup 2025 campaign alive with a much-needed win against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi. The five-wicket victory not only gave them two important points but also opened up several qualification possibilities for the final.
With this result, Pakistan climbed to second place in the Super Four table, sitting just behind India on net run rate. Both India and Bangladesh also have two points each, but Pakistan’s slightly better net run rate puts them in a stronger position than Bangladesh. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, slipped to the bottom after suffering two straight losses.
For Pakistan, the qualification equation is simple: their next game against Bangladesh on Thursday will be the key. If India beats Bangladesh in Wednesday’s clash, the Pakistan-Bangladesh game will effectively become a semi-final, with the winner booking a spot in the title match.
If Bangladesh manage to upset India, then the scenario gets more complicated. In that case, Pakistan would not only need to beat Bangladesh but also keep an eye on net run rates, as three teams could finish level on points.
Sri Lanka’s chances are now hanging by a thread. The defending champions need several results to go their way, including beating India in their last match and hoping Bangladesh defeat both Pakistan and India. Even then, their qualification would depend heavily on overturning a poor net run rate.
Pakistan’s fate, however, remains in their own hands. A win against Bangladesh could secure their place in the final, giving them a golden chance to challenge arch-rivals India for the Asia Cup crown.
