After starting the 2022 edition of the Asia Cup, the Indian cricket team suffered two consecutive losses in the Super-4 round, which made their chances of qualifying for the final clash blurry. The Indian side defeated Pakistan and Hong Kong and entered the Super-4 stage with their heads high, the Men in Blue faced two close defeats, first at the hands of Pakistan and then Sri Lanka.
On Tuesday, the Indian side was defeated by 6 wickets by the Sri Lanka cricket team, Now, India’s chances of making it to the finals of the Asia Cup 2022 are just next to impossible. However, India can still qualify for the summit clash. India is placed above Afghanistan in the points table, all thanks to the NRR which currently reads at -0.125 as compared to Afghanistan’s -0.589.
Here’s how team India can still qualify for the final:
1. Afghanistan needs to beat Pakistan:
In the upcoming game between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Nabi-led side must defeat the Babar Azam-led team. While Pakistan had won a high-voltage Super-4 clash against India, on the other hand, Afghanistan lost a close-cut game against Sri Lanka. If the Babar Azam-led side manages to win the contest, the Indian side will be kicked out of the tournament.
2. India needs to defeat Afghanistan:
In order to make it to the finals, India needs to win the crucial must-win game against Afghanistan. This match is a do-or-die game for India. If Afghanistan defeats Pakistan before meeting India, the fixture will become even more important for India. However, India will be knocked out of the tournament if Afghanistan suffers a defeat against Pakistan.
3. Sri Lanka needs to defeat Pakistan:
If the scenarios mentioned fall in place, then the Sri Lankan side will have to defeat Pakistan in order to increase the chances of team India qualifying for the finals. In this case, Sri Lanka will straight away enter the finals, but on the other hand, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan will have to fight it out for a spot in the summit clash.
