Race to Asia Cup 2022 Final – What is the qualification scenario for India?

The Rohit Sharma-led Indian side has lost two consecutive games in the Super 4 stage of the ongoing T20 Asia Cup. The Indian side reached the Super 4 stage by defeating Pakistan and Hong Kong in their group stage games. India are currently placed at the third position in the points table, just above Afghanistan, with no victory in their account.

India played Pakistan in their first Super 4 stage game the last Sunday (September 4) where the ‘Men in Blue lost the final over thriller, despite Virat Kohli’s efforts with the bat and a decent total by India, earlier in the first innings. Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz guided their side to a triumph, by five wickets.

Furthermore, yesterday (September 6), against Sri Lanka, Indian batters, except skipper Sharma, botched to put on a much-needed, timely batting performance and fell short of a considerable aggregate. Sharma hit 72 runs in 41 deliveries with five fours and four sixes and aided India to put on a respectable total of 173 for 8. However, the Indian bowlers couldn’t do much against the firm Lankan openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, who both scored the fifties. In the end, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and captain Dasun Shanaka conquered another nail-biter with their quick-firing batting cameos and Sri Lanka beat India by six wickets, with a ball to spare. India’s Yuzvendra Chahal captured a three-wicket haul.

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How can India still qualify for Asia Cup 2022 final?

After India’s last defeat versus Sri Lanka, things have gone complicated now, as far as the qualification for the final is concerned. India still had fair chances after their loss against Pakistan, but now they are placed third in the points table with no victory and a negative Net Run Rate (NRR), which leaves the side on the edge of the credentials.

Here are India’s chances of qualifying for the Asia Cup 2022 final, considering the other three teams in the race:

Sir Lanka: The Lankan men are already into the final and to make things better for India, they will have to beat Pakistan with a huge margin.

Pakistan: Pakistan are scheduled to face Afghanistan today (September 7). And if Babar Azam and co. win this derby anyway, India’s challenge will be over. So, Pakistan will have to defeat Afghanistan by a fairly tight margin and will have to lose against Sri Lanka by a big margin, later this week.

Afghanistan: India’s remaining ‘Super 4’ stage-game is slated versus Afghanistan and Sharma and co. will have to win it by a huge margin, deeming the NRR strategy. Moreover, Mohammad Nabi-led Afghani men will need to beat Pakistan today, to India’s advantage.

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