Asia Cup 2023 Final: Pakistan lost by a huge margin of 228 runs to India on Monday in the Super 4 round of the Asia Cup, dropping them to second place in the points standings behind Sri Lanka. Pakistan fell behind quite quickly while attempting to chase a daunting 357-run total. After the Indian openers had a strong start, K.L. Rahul and Virat Kohli scored hundreds.
The Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav was instrumental in delivering India’s largest-ever victory over Pakistan (by runs), taking five wickets for just 25 runs.
Pakistan is in desperate need of favors from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in order to get to the Asia Cup 2023 final following the devastating loss to India. Pakistan currently only has one game left in the Super 4 stage, which they must win against Sri Lanka on Thursday, September 14. However in order to advance to the top match, they will also need Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to lose their matches to India.
After a stunning victory, India took the top spot in the Super 4 standings. With a win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday, they will guarantee their place in the championship game. If this occurs, Bangladesh will be eliminated from contention, and the winner of Thursday’s match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play India in the championship game on Sunday.
In the event of a washout on Thursday, the final will be decided by the side with the higher net run rate between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Given the present standings, Sri Lanka is definitely in second place thanks to Pakistan’s lower Net Run Rate (+0.420). (-1.892).
In the NRR, India now leads Sri Lanka by 207 runs. As a result, they will still have a greater NRR than Sri Lanka even if they lose on Tuesday by, say, 100 runs. To surpass India’s NRR, Pakistan must close a gap of about 300 runs. They have a better chance of surpassing Sri Lanka on that front.
Bangladesh might have a chance if Sri Lanka defeats India. But for it to happen, Pakistan must lose to Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh must easily overcome India. Bangladesh will need to overcome India by about 125 runs to have the advantage over NRR if Sri Lanka defeats India by roughly 150 runs.
Nonetheless, the defending champion could guarantee their place in the Asia Cup final if Sri Lanka succeeds in surprising Pakistan and India in the Super 4 stage.
In the event that both of the scheduled games on Tuesday and Thursday are postponed, Sri Lanka and India will join them in the championship game provided that Bangladesh is not defeated by more than 300 runs. The final will feature India and Sri Lanka if all three of the remaining games are postponed.
