High-Stakes Match to Decide Pakistan’s Fate in Super Four Stage
ABU DHABI: Pakistan take on Sri Lanka today (Tuesday) in a crucial Super Four fixture of the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. This is a must-win match for Pakistan, who are still looking for their first win in the second stage of the tournament.
In their opening Super Four game, Pakistan lost to India, while Sri Lanka were defeated by Bangladesh. With both teams without a win, this match will be a turning point in their Asia Cup campaigns.
After two defeats — both to arch-rival India, one in the group stage and one in Super Four — Pakistan now sit at the bottom of the Super Four standings, behind Sri Lanka on net run rate.
According to reports, changes are expected in the Pakistan playing XI. Young batter Hassan Nawaz could be recalled, and an extra seamer might be added to bolster the bowling attack.
Qualification Scenarios Remain Complex for Pakistan
Despite two losses, Pakistan are still in contention for a place in the Asia Cup 2025 final, but the road ahead is narrow and heavily reliant on net run rate (NRR).
A win today is essential, but even two victories in the remaining fixtures may not guarantee qualification, depending on how other teams perform.
One key scenario:
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If India win all three Super Four matches, and Pakistan beat Bangladesh but lose to Sri Lanka, all three remaining teams could end with one win each, pushing NRR to decide the second finalist.
Another possibility:
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If Pakistan beat both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and Bangladesh beat India, three teams could end with two wins apiece — again, NRR would be the tie-breaker.
The most direct route to the final for Pakistan? Beat Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and hope India win all their matches. That would send India and Pakistan through to the final, scheduled for September 26.
