Sri Lanka and Bangladesh booked a Super 4s berth in Asia Cup 2025.
Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan were in a close fight for the two Super 4 spots from Group B in the Asia Cup 2025. Bangladesh stayed alive in the race with a narrow 8-run win over Afghanistan on September 16 in Abu Dhabi (BAN 154/5 vs AFG 146 all out). Hong Kong, meanwhile, were knocked out of the tournament after losing all three of their matches. With Bangladesh having already completed their three group games, all eyes were on Sri Lanka and Afghanistan. However, Sri Lanka have thumped the final nail in the coffin with a six-wicket win over the Afghans.
| Team | Matches | Wins | Loss | No Result | Points | NRR |
| Sri Lanka | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | +1.278 |
| Bangladesh | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -0.270 |
| Afghanistan | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | +1.241 |
| Hong Kong | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | -2.151 |
Sri Lanka topped Group B with six points, having won all their matches so far. Their final group game against Afghanistan resulted in a comfortable win, as they officially confirmed their place in the Super 4s. Their net run rate before the game started stood at +1.546, which put them in a very strong position even if they would have faced defeat.
The Lankan Lions were chasing a target of 170 against Afghanistan. Getting past the 101-run mark was all they needed to seal a Super Four berth. Once they get over the 101-mark, victory or loss would have been irrelevant. As for Afghanistan, they had to win the match to book a Super Four berth, which they couldn’t.
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After defeating Afghanistan, Bangladesh completed their group stage assignments. They ended with two wins and one loss, giving them four points from three matches. With a net run rate of -0.270, their qualification hopes rested on the outcome of the remaining games.
For Bangladesh, Afghanistan not winning against Sri Lanka was extremely important. That was the only way they could have proceeded into the Super 4s. The Tigers would have been watching the game unfold quite keenly, and will be itching to take the field in the next stage.
Afghanistan were in a do or die situation. With one win and one loss from their two matches before the final fixture, they needed to beat Sri Lanka in their final group game to stay in contention. A victory would have left all three teams, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, on four points each, which would have meant the net run rate (NRR) would decide who qualifies for the Super 4. Their NRR before the fixture against Sri Lanka was +2.150. However, their campaign came to a half the moment they lost, and Sri Lanka will advance along with Bangladesh.
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