KARACHI: Sri Lanka's six-wicket win over India in the Super Four stage of Asia Cup on Tuesday has confirmed that there won't be another Pakistan vs India game in Asia Cup 2022.
Arch-rivals Pakistan and India have met twice in this tournament in the UAE with both winning one match each and fans were hoping for them to meet again in the final on September 11, but it is not happening anymore.
India's two defeats in two games confirmed that there is no chance of a Pakistan vs India final, though India's hopes are still alive — though depending on too much of ifs and buts. Also, Sri Lanka's position in the final is not confirmed.
What does India want?
India has lost to Pakistan and Sri Lanka and has one game remaining — against Afghanistan on September 8. India's hope relies on the results of Pakistan's matches.
Indian fans would want Afghanistan to beat Pakistan on Wednesday, then India to beat Afghanistan on Thursday, and then they would be praying for Sri Lanka's win over Pakistan on Friday.
If wishes were to come true, then the situation will see Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan tied on two points apiece and the net run rate will come into account to determine who will play Sri Lanka in the final on the 11th.
Is Sri Lanka confirmed in the final?
No, despite two wins from two games, Sri Lanka is not guaranteed a place in the final. Imagine, if Afghanistan beats Pakistan and India and Pakistan beats Sri Lanka — then it will have three teams tied with four points apiece and two teams with better net run rates will play the final.
Sri Lanka currently has a net run rate of 0.351 and Pakistan has a net run rate of 0.126. Afghanistan's NRR is -0.125 and if they want to be in contention then they will have to work really hard and beat India and Pakistan by greater margins to improve their net run rate.
In all the scenarios, Wednesday's match between Pakistan and Afghanistan is important as far as the tournament's future is concerned. The if and but situation will stay alive if Afghanistan wins but if Pakistan, as everyone expects, wins the game then all ifs and buts will be buried with confirmation of the final between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
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