The group stage of the Asia Cup 2025 has concluded, locking in the four teams advancing to the Super Four: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Afghanistan, despite showing flashes of brilliance, are out of the tournament after a crucial defeat to Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi.
Sri Lanka topped Group B with a flawless run, winning all their matches. Their latest victory over Afghanistan was the decisive blow that ended Afghanistan’s campaign. Chasing 170, Sri Lanka’s top order showed composure, with Kusal Mendis playing an unbeaten 74-run anchor innings that guided the side home with six wickets to spare. The win not only ensured Sri Lanka’s safe passage but also cleared the path for Bangladesh, who secured the second spot in the group on the back of a better points tally.
Bangladesh’s group-stage performances were marked by grit and key contributions from their middle order. Their net run rate advantage over Afghanistan proved vital after both teams were level on points before the final round. Bangladesh’s bowlers, particularly Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, played crucial roles in keeping them competitive throughout the group stage.
In Group A, India and Pakistan lived up to expectations, dominating UAE and Oman to seal their places early. India’s bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, has been clinical, while their top order has provided consistent runs. Pakistan, meanwhile, bounced back from early jitters with strong all-round performances, including a commanding win over UAE to secure their Super Four berth.
The Super Four stage will now see a round-robin format, with each team playing the others once. The top two teams at the end of this stage will qualify for the final. This means fans can look forward to another high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash, alongside competitive fixtures featuring Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, who have both shown that they can punch above their weight.
Momentum could prove decisive in this phase. Sri Lanka head into the Super Four with the confidence of being unbeaten, while Bangladesh will aim to carry forward their fighting spirit and upset the more fancied sides. India and Pakistan will look to fine-tune their combinations, as player workloads and form become increasingly crucial with the stakes rising.
For Afghanistan, the early exit is a disappointment after their promising start, but it also highlights areas they must address — particularly middle-order stability and execution in crunch moments. Their bowlers were effective in patches, but lapses in fielding and failure to close games cost them dearly.
With the Super Four line-up confirmed, the tournament now enters its most competitive stage. The next few matches will determine who handles pressure better, who rotates their squads smartly, and who rises to the occasion in must-win scenarios. The Asia Cup is poised for a thrilling finish, with four strong contenders fighting for two spots in the final.
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