Asia Cup Qualification Scenario, Group B: Afghanistan out of Super Four race?

Asia Cup 2025: What do Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan need to do to qualify for the Super Fours? Who will face India?

The Asia Cup 2025 has entered a tense stage in Group B, where three teams are still battling for two spots in the Super Four. Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan, after looking dominant in their opener, faced a reality check with a narrow eight-run loss against Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. The defeat has opened up the group, leaving Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan all in contention going into the final league fixture.

With Hong Kong already eliminated after three straight losses, the equation now rests on the last Group B match: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan on September 18 in Abu Dhabi.

Asia Cup 2025 Group B Points Table

Remaining Group B Fixtures

• September 18, Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan, 8:00 PM IST

Qualification Scenario for Each team

Sri Lanka

• Already on four points, Sri Lanka needs just to avoid a heavy defeat against Afghanistan.
• They will qualify if they do not lose by 71 or more runs (if Afghanistan bats first and makes 180) or by 53 balls or more to spare (if Afghanistan chases 120).

Afghanistan

• Must win against Sri Lanka to qualify for the Super Four.
• If they lose, they are eliminated.
• A narrow win could still leave Bangladesh out due to net run rate.

Bangladesh

• Finished group stage with four points. Their fate now depends on Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan.
• They qualify if Sri Lanka beats Afghanistan.
• If Afghanistan wins, Bangladesh’s chances depend on the margin of victory. A heavy Afghanistan win (71+ runs or 53+ balls to spare) will push Bangladesh out on net run rate.

Hong Kong, China

• With three losses in three games, Hong Kong, China are already eliminated from the tournament.

Thursday’s clash between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan is effectively a knockout. A Sri Lanka win will send them through along with Bangladesh. An Afghanistan victory will bring net run rate into play, potentially ending Bangladesh’s campaign despite their two wins.

Once all the group stage matches are completed, the top two teams from each group will qualify for the Super Four stage. In this phase, each team plays three matches, one against each of the other Super Four teams. That means sides will face the opponent they already met in the group stage for the second time. The two best-placed teams after these fixtures will contest the final on September 28.