Explained: How can Pakistan qualify for Asia Cup 2025 final after defeat to India in Super Four clash

Pakistan lost to India by six wickets in Super Four encounter of Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai.

Pakistan couldn’t emulate India and Bangladesh in their first Super Four stage match of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. While India and Bangladesh made winning starts to Super Four stage, Pakistan lost to India to make a dreadful beginning. However, with Sri Lanka being the fourth team, the fight for the final is still on.

Pakistan were handed a brutal six-wicket defeat by India in their second meeting of the ongoing Asia Cup as they had previously defeated them by seven wickets at the same venue in Dubai. Pakistan were asked to bat first by India and, thanks to Sahibzada Farhan’s 58 and contributions by Faheem Ashraf and Saim Ayub, they posted 171/5 in 20 overs.

However, Abhishek Sharma scored 74 in 39 balls with five sixes and six fours, and Shubman Gill made 47 runs in 28 balls with eight fours, adding 105 runs inside 10 overs. This set up the chase for India, and though they lost three quick wickets, Tilak Varma’s 19-ball 30* helped India win the game by six wickets with seven balls to spare.

How can Pakistan still qualify for Asia Cup 2025 final?

After the first two matches, with a better Net Run Rate of +0.689, India lead, while Bangladesh are at +0.121. With four games remaining in this phase, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are still in the running for a position in the top match, even if they have not yet opened their accounts.

The road ahead for Pakistan is clear-cut yet steep: they need to win their next two games, first against Sri Lanka on Tuesday and then against Bangladesh on Thursday.

With two wins, Salman Agha’s team will have four points, which might lead to a thrilling third meeting with India in the championship match on Sunday, given India defeat the same two opponents and make it to the summit clash. The Islanders will be eliminated from contention following two consecutive defeats if Pakistan defeat them on Tuesday.

India and Bangladesh will clash on Wednesday, and it is anticipated that, given their amazing form, India will win the game and probably book their spot in the final of Asia Cup 2025.

If Pakistan defeat Sri Lanka, and if India defeat Bangladesh, this will make the Pakistan versus Bangladesh game on Thursday a virtual semi-final. The winner of the game will then go into the final of the tournament and potentially play India.

Pakistan would surpass India and advance to the finals if they defeat Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and India were to lose the two games. The Men in Blue would then have to fight their way to the finals against the other two teams.

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