The Asia Cup 2025 has moved into its decisive Super 4 phase, and the excitement is palpable. After a marathon of 12 group matches, only four nations remain: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Each of them has carved a path through the qualifiers, and now the calendar is packed with back‑to‑back duels that could decide who walks off with the trophy.
Super 4 line‑up and schedule
Group A delivered a familiar story. India, captained by the ever‑aggressive Suryakumar Yadav, topped the table as A1, thanks to a blistering net‑run‑rate that made the final group game against Oman a formality. Pakistan slid into the second slot (A2) and secured their berth with a win that set up another high‑octane India‑vs‑Pakistan encounter.
Across the desert in Group B, Sri Lanka stormed through as B1, winning every league match and flashing dominant form. Bangladesh, after dispatching Afghanistan and Hong Kong, claimed the B2 position, rounding out the four‑team roster.
The Super 4 schedule is a six‑day sprint:
- Sept 20 – Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh (Dubai)
- Sept 21 – India vs Pakistan (Dubai)
- Sept 23 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Abu Dhabi)
- Sept 24 – India vs Bangladesh (Dubai)
- Sept 25 – Pakistan vs Bangladesh (Dubai)
- Sept 26 – India vs Sri Lanka (Dubai)
All matches, except the Pakistan‑Sri Lanka clash, are slated for Dubai’s iconic stadiums, with the final on Sept 28 also set there. The round‑robin format means each side plays three games; the two teams with the most points will book a ticket to the championship showdown.
What’s at stake for the four teams?
For India, the mission is crystal clear: chase a record ninth Asia Cup crown. Their group‑stage campaign – punctuated by aggressive batting and tight bowling – suggests they’re hungry for another milestone. Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership has infused the side with confidence, but the pressure of history always adds a layer of tension.
Pakistan, meanwhile, is looking to rewrite the narrative of recent Asia Cup outings. After a string of near‑misses, a win against India would be a statement of intent, while a loss could deepen doubts about their ability to convert talent into titles.
Sri Lanka’s perfect group record has turned heads. Their bowling unit has been lethal on the slower UAE pitches, and their top order has found rhythm early. A victory over either India or Pakistan would catapult them straight into the final, reviving hopes of ending a long title drought.
Bangladesh entered the Super 4 as the underdogs, yet they have shown a knack for pulling off upsets. Their triumphs over Afghanistan and Hong Kong weren’t just about skill; they displayed mental toughness that could trouble any opponent. A win against India or Pakistan would be a massive boost for their cricketing profile.
Every match carries weight because the points table can shift dramatically with a single result. Net‑run‑rate, which helped India seal the top spot in Group A, could become the tie‑breaker if teams end up level on points. That means a big win isn’t just morale‑lifting; it’s a strategic necessity.
Fans across the subcontinent are already counting down the days. The India‑Pakistan duel, scheduled for Sept 21, is more than a game – it’s a cultural moment that draws millions of viewers, generates buzz on social media, and fuels endless debate over who truly dominates Asian cricket.
Beyond the marquee clash, the other fixtures promise to be nail‑biters. Sri Lanka’s meeting with Pakistan in Abu Dhabi offers a pure test of bowling depth, while the India‑Bangladesh showdown could spotlight emerging talent from Dhaka’s growing cricket scene.
As the Super 4 unfolds, the narrative will evolve: will India’s experience shine through, or will one of the challengers pull off a surprise and rewrite the script? The answer will emerge over six intense days of cricket, and the final on Sept 28 will crown whichever side navigates the pressure best.
