Asia Cup 2023: Here’s How Pakistan Could be Knocked Out of After Crushing Loss to India – News18 – NEWS TIMES HD | CVHD

Team India registered a thumping 228-run win against Pakistan on Monday night in Colombo, to notch the top spot on the Super Four points table. After setting the arch-rivals a mammoth 357-run target, India bundled out Pakistan for a paltry 128 in 32 overs. Rohit Sharma & Co now have the best Net Run Rate (NRR) of +4.560. The men in green, on the other hand, slipped to third spot with 2 points in their kitty. They are placed above Bangladesh on the points tally but have the worst NRR, of -1.892, among the four teams.

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Super Four standings

While India notched the top spot, defending champions Sri Lanka are placed 2^nd with 2 points and a positive NRR of 0.420. Pakistan are placed third while Bangladesh are reeling in fourth place with 2 losses and zero points.

Pakistan on the verge of getting knocked out

The threat of getting knocked out looms over Pakistan after the 238-run drubbing at the hands of India. They have one game left, against Sri Lanka on Thursday, which they cannot afford to lose. They would also need India to defeat Sri Lanka on Tuesday to go through.

However, if Sri Lanka win against India and then India beat Bangladesh, then Pakistan could still be knocked out even if they win their last Super Four Game match against Sri Lanka.

And if Pakistan lose to Sri Lanka on Thursday, it will be all over for them in the ongoing continental tournament.

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We were not up to the mark – Babar Azam

A dejected Pakistan skipper admitted that his team didn’t live up to the expectations.

“Weather was not in our hands but we tried our best. We were not up to the mark with our batting and bowling. They (Indian openers) had plans for our bowlers and started well and that was followed up by Virat and Rahul. Jasprit and Siraj bowled well in the first 10 overs and swung the ball both ways, but our batting was not up to the mark,” Babar said at the post-match presentation.

Unhappy to bowl first: Pakistan coach Grant Bradburn

“We weren’t unhappy with our decision to bowl first. We think the conditions suited us and the ball was seaming around, but India played well, while we didn’t quite put the ball in the right areas or grab an early chance,” Bradburn said at the post-match presser.