Asia Cup 2023: Pakistan need India’s help to qualify for final

After registering the thumping victory over arch-rival Pakistn, India will meet defending Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka in its second Super Four game on Tuesday.

Earlier Pakistan had outclassed Bangladesh before meeting India in the Super Four phase of the tournament. Pakistan only have one match left to play in the Super 4 stage. They will take on Sri Lanka in their final Super 4 fixture. The Green Army are behind Sri Lanka in the Super Four standings. Meanwhile, Bangladesh are virtually out of the race for the summit clash.

Currently, Sri Lanka (+0.420) have a superior net run rate than Pakistan (-1.892). Pakistan will have to beat Sri Lanka in its final Super Four fixture to remain alive in the qualification race. If India win its remaining two Super Four games (vs Sri Lanka and Bangladesh), Rohit’s men will top the Super Four standings to enter the final.

If Sri Lanka end up upstaging India and Pakistan in the Super stage, the reigning champions can seal their place for the Asia Cup final. Pakistan will then only have an outside chance if India suffer a defeat at the hands of Bangladesh. Pakistan will have a much better chance of qualifying for the final if India beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday. That way, net run rate will not come into play and they can play a virtual quarter-final with Sri Lanka to decide the finalist.