Explainer
Al Jazeera will classify qualification scenarios for all four teams before the Asian Cup finals to be held in Dubai on Sunday.
Released on September 24, 2025
Pakistan’s five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the Asian Cup 2025 will likely make all teams in the Super For Round of the Regional Cricket Tournament to compete in the finals.
Bangladesh, India and Pakistan still have their own destiny, but Sri Lanka is keen to hope and prayer.
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So how do each of the four teams qualify for the final? Al Jazeera breaks it while standing before the Bangladesh vs India match:
How can Bangladesh compete in the Asian Cup final?
The Tigers began the Super Four with a roar as they got nervous to beat Sri Lanka with four wickets in the final finish on Saturday.
The victory brought in 2 points and a net run rate (NRR) of 0.121.
Winning India in Wednesday’s match will further strengthen Bangladesh’s chances of competing in the finals, but on Friday, there is no guarantee of the spot until all NRR calculations.
However, if they lose to India, the Litton Das team will play a virtual semi-final against Pakistan on Thursday, with the winners progressing to meet India in the final.
How can India compete in the Asian Cup final?
India is the only unbeaten side in the tournament and has the most powerful position in the Super Four Stage after comprehensively beating Pakistan on Sunday.
Their NRR stands at 0.689, helping the Twenty20 world champions maintain their top spot on the Super Force Points table.
If India beats Bangladesh on Wednesday, they will compete in the finals and await the winner of the match between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
How can Pakistan compete in the Asian Cup final?
Pakistan, as often as it did, recovered late in the tournament by beating Sri Lanka in the second Super Four Game.
They are currently second in the table with two points and an NRR of 0.226, ahead of Bangladesh, and meet in the final Super Four Game.
Pakistan will support India by beating the Tigers on Wednesday and aim to do the same to meet their tournament in the final on September 28th.
How can Sri Lanka compete in the Asian Cup final?
The six-time champion finds himself in an unstable position.
They should wait and pray for the results of Bangladesh vs India, Bangladesh vs Pakistan equipment and go the path before they have an institution shaping their chances for the finals.
For Sri Lanka to have any odds, Bangladesh must defeat both India and Pakistan with a large margin. Such a scenario brings two points each, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The islanders will need to record the mammoth victory over Bangladesh in the final Super Four Game on Friday.
With the Lions stars lined up and if they could win by a massive margin, Sri Lanka could knock out two South Asian giants based on a low NRR and set up a final clash with Bangladesh.
Simply put, once India beat Bangladesh, it ended for Sri Lanka.
