Pakistan set up a date with India yet again in the Super four stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2025 tournament on the virtue of beating the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by 41 runs in their last group-stage fixture on September 17 in Dubai. It was a do-or-die clash for Salman Ali Agha-led Pakistan, and they came out on top by a convincing margin to yet again meet India in the Continental Cup 2025 edition.
The Men in Green finished the group stage with four points from three games, slotting alongside India, who are currently sitting top of the standings with four points from two games. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side has one match left against Oman, which they will play on Friday, September 19. Hosts UAE, two points from three games, & Oman 0 points from two games, are out of the Asia Cup event.
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While Group A is sealed, Group B is wide open, with top spots up for grabs. Sri Lanka currently sit on top of the points table, with four points from two games, and a positive net run rate of (+1.546). Bangladesh is second with four points from three games with a negative NRR (-0.270), leaving their fate in the hands of other results.
Afghanistan is third with two points from two games with an impressive NRR (+2.150) and will next face Sri Lanka in a must-win game on Thursday, September 18. Only Hong Kong, win less in three matches, is out of Group B in the Asia Cup. The final Group B match today will determine who will progress to the Super Four stage, joining India & Pakistan.
Group B set for an epic climax as Sri Lanka face Afghanistan
Group B is set for an epic finish, with two strong teams facing off for the first and second finishes . While both Sri Lanka & Afghanistan have positive net run rates, even a loss by a close margin could send either side to the Super 4 stage. Bangladesh would be hoping either of Sri Lanka or the Afghans loses the match by a big margin, as that would help them enter the Super 4 stage.
Speaking about the Pakistan vs UAE clash, the former were a little patchy with the bat in hand. If not for Fakhar Zaman's 50 (36 balls) and Shaheen Afridi's late blitz of an unbeaten 29, then they would have been restricted to a far lesser total than what they eventually posted. However, with the duo's efforts, they posted a challenging 146/9.
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In reply, hosts UAE just managed 105 in 17.4 overs. Abrar Ahmed (2-13), Shaheen Afridi (2-16), and Haris Rauf (2-19) dismantled the hosts' batting line-up.
