Asia Cup-2023: Who Sri Lanka Or Pakistan Will Join India In Summit Clash; What Are Possible Scenarios?

Colombo: With India entering the final and Bangladesh bowing out of the Asia Cup-2023, either Pakistan or Sri Lanka will join India in the tournament's final to be held on Sunday. Reigning champion Sri Lanka will meet Babar Azam's Pakistan in their last Super 4 match of the Asia Cup on Thursday. 

Premadasa Stadium pitch is favourable to batters

Sri Lanka is likely to make the most of their home advantage against Pakistan at the Premadasa Stadium. R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo offers a pitch that is quite favourable to batters. Spinners in particular can do well on this track due to the turn and bounce on offer. Batters can exploit the batting nature of the pitch and score heavily. Teams winning the toss might choose to chase, with the average first innings total being 214.The winner of the virtual semi-final will clash with India in the Asia Cup final on Sunday.

Sri Lanka has better net run rate

In case the virtual semi-final is washed out, the team which has the better net run rate seal its berth for the historic Asia Cup final against India.  As things stand, Sri Lanka has an advantage over Pakistan when it comes to the net run-rate. Thus if the match is washed out, Sri lanka will enter the final by virtue of netter trun rate. 

Team India is on top in the Super 4 stage with four points from two games. India are followed by Sri Lanka, who have 2 points from 2 matches. Pakistan also have 2 points from 2 matches but their run rate is poor. 

India and Pakistan have never played against each other in Asia Cup final 

If Pakistan defeats Sri Lanka in their last Super 4 match, they will seal the remaining second spot for the summit clash. India and Pakistan have never played against each other in the final of a 50-over Asia Cup tournament. Record-time winners Team India has won the Asia Cup seven times while Pakistan have lifted the trophy twice.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 155 matches in ODI. Out of these 155 games, Pakistan has won 92 whereas Sri Lanka has come out victorious on 58 occasions. Four matches ended without a result. One match ended in a tie.