Ah, the Asia Cup–that tournament that really prompts one certain match in the minds of cricket fans; India vs Pakistan. But the strange twist is that in 40 years of this great tournament, we haven’t had a final between India and Pakistan. Crazy right? Afghanistan seems to be quietly recapturing some sort of form, Pakistan may be looking for a hint of their past self, Sri Lanka looks cautiously positive, and Bangladesh is, well, erratic. So, the real question is: Will Afghanistan ruin the final, or are we still waiting for that epic final, India vs Pakistan?
Afghanistan: The Dark Horse You Can’t Ignore
Let’s start with Afghanistan. Their reputation in world cricket is growing fast—they were semifinalists at last year’s T20 World Cup and even managed to knock England off their stride in the Champions Trophy ODIs. Surprisingly, they’ve barely stepped onto the T20 stage in 2025. Before the Asia Cup warm-ups, their total count? Only three matches.
Rasheed Khan and Mohammed Nabi are both leaders with experience; when Afghanistan can play their best XI, they take on the appearance of a team that can take on any opponent. But here’s the challenge—picking a side. Afghanistan has not always been consistent in picking its best XI, and in short tournaments like the Asia Cup, every decision is pertinent. But if a combination clicks, don’t be surprised to see that they are not just a semifinal contender; they might be for the final.
Pakistan: Finding Rhythm and Depth
By contrast, Pakistan has been doing quite well this year with its D20 (domestic T20) rhythm this year. They have done quite well against some of the harder teams to play against, and it’s evident that they are a lot better at figuring out how to pace their innings and keep the momentum flowing and changing even early on when wickets fall.
Still, that nagging doubt lingers. Even when they are up against the best in really tough, high-pressure matches, they do occasionally falter when it comes to defending a total. I think Pakistan’s Asia Cup group will not be as daunting as it appears, but if they slip in their group stage against Sri Lanka or Afghanistan, it could ruin their tournament.
Sri Lanka: The Unpredictable Giant
And then there is Sri Lanka. They’ve been an Asia Cup team for a while; they almost always find a way to the final. This time around, though, they’re a different team – younger, hungrier, and seemingly coming out of a long rebuild. Players like Charith Asalanka are in the form of their lives, and they seem to have their domestic structures somewhat stable.
So where does that leave us? Afghanistan has the experience, Pakistan has the depth, and Sri Lanka has the history-and perhaps the slight edge of surprise. The beauty of this Asia Cup is that it feels unpredictable. Yes, fans may want to see the big match, India vs Pakistan, but Afghanistan may just blow that fantasy apart and steal the show.
FAQs
- What fuels Pakistan’s reputation as a front-runner in the Asia Cup?
Pakistan has depth in both batting and bowling and has improved its pacing in T20 matches this year.
- What is Pakistan’s potential weakness in the tournament?
Pakistan can be vulnerable under high-pressure situations, especially when defending totals against strong teams.
- Why is Sri Lanka considered a dark horse for the final?
Sri Lanka combines emerging young talent with historical Asia Cup experience, making them unpredictable yet dangerous.
