Asia Cup 2025: How can Afghanistan qualify for Super Four after defeat to Bangladesh? Explained

Afghanistan need to win against Sri Lanka to go through to the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup 2025.

Afghanistan’s defeat to Bangladesh has pushed Group B of the Asia Cup 2025 into turmoil when it comes to Super Four qualification. Afghanistan, once primed to make it into the next round, lost to Bangladesh by eight runs, throwing open the group.

Afghanistan have played two games till now and lost one and won one, with one game to go. The Rashid Khan-led side batted first against Hong Kong and posted 188/9. Sediqullah Atal made 73, Azmatullah Omarzai made 53, and Mohammad Nabi made 33 runs. Hong Kong never had a chance in the chase, making only 94/9 in 20 overs. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib took two wickets each for Afghanistan in their 94-run win.

In their second match, Bangladesh batted first, scoring 154/5, with Tanzid Hasan (52) and Saif Hassan (30) being the top scorers. Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad took two wickets each. In response, despite Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 35 and Azmatullah Omarzai’s 30, Afghanistan fell eight runs short, scoring 146.

How can Afghanistan qualify for the Super Four after a defeat to Afghanistan? Explained

Afghanistan now have two points from their first two games after that defeat; therefore, a victory over Sri Lanka is essential. Bangladesh, however, have won two of their last three games. Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are competing for two Super Four slots, while Hong Kong has already been eliminated.

This makes the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka match on September 18 a virtual knockout match for Afghanistan. If Sri Lanka defeats Afghanistan by any margin, they will end with six points and lead the group, with Bangladesh qualifying as the second team.

If Afghanistan win against Sri Lanka, the group will be tied at four points. In that instance, the net run rate is the deciding factor. Afghanistan already have the strongest NRR; thus, any margin of victory would boost its position, and a win secures a spot in the Super Four.

Notably, unless the loss is severe, Sri Lanka are on the verge of qualifying due to their healthy NRR. Sri Lanka’s NRR may fall below Bangladesh’s, eliminating them, if Afghanistan defeats them by more than 70 runs or chases down the target with more than 50 balls remaining.

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