Can India still make it to the final of Asia Cup 2022? See this

Can India still qualify for the Asia Cup 2022 final after Tuesday night's heartbreaking loss to Sri Lanka?

To assess India's chances, let's first see how things stand right now. Sri Lanka are right on top, having won both their Super 4 encounters - against Afghanistan and India. They are already through to the final.

Pakistan have already won one Super 4 match - against India - and if they win one more match, they are through to the final on Sunday.


Afghanistan and India are at the bottom of the table, with no wins, with India slightly ahead on Net Run Rate.

Now let's see the remaining Super 4 matches in Asia Cup 2022.

Pakistan vs Afghanistan: September 7

India vs Afghanistan: September 8

Sri Lanka vs Pakistan: September 9

India have a chance to make it to the final only if they win the match against Afghanistan, and IF Pakistan lose their remaining two matches - against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. That will leave three teams tied at 2 points each and India have a chance of making it to the final to play Sri Lanka on better NRR.

Which means: Afghanistan should beat Pakistan on September 7, India should beat Afghanistan on September 8, and Sri Lanka should defeat Pakistan on September 9. And India's NRR should be higher. That would need lots and lots of luck

If Pakistan win against Afghanistan on Wednesday, India's match against Afghanistan will be little more than a formality.

Which was why the match against Sri Lanka was a must-win for India. Sri Lanka, helped by half-centuries from openers Pathum Nissanka (52) and Kusal Mendis (57) downed India by six wickets with just one ball to spare.

India won the last Asian Cup in 2018, when it was played in 50-over format. They failed to make the semi-finals of last year's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and lost in the semi-finals at the 2019 50-over World Cup in England.

Captain Rohit Sharma played down concerns about his team's form ahead of next month's T20 World Cup. "You don't worry if you lose two matches," he told reporters.