The Super Four draw for the men’s T20 Asia Cup is now locked in. Sri Lanka meet Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, 20 September, before the tournament’s headline act – India v Pakistan, round two – takes place in Dubai the following evening.
Pakistan secured their passage with Wednesday’s routine win over the UAE, while India are unbeaten after edging Pakistan in the group stage and still have Oman to play. Sri Lanka, for their part, saw off Afghanistan on Thursday and progressed alongside Bangladesh from Group B.
“We’ve done the first bit – now the harder part starts,” Sri Lanka skipper Wanindu Hasaranga said after sealing qualification. “Back-to-back games and travel, so managing energy is going to be key.”
Key fixtures
20 Sep – Sri Lanka v Bangladesh, Abu Dhabi
21 Sep – India v Pakistan, Dubai
23 Sep – Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi
24 Sep – India v Bangladesh, Dubai
25 Sep – Pakistan v Bangladesh, Dubai
26 Sep – India v Sri Lanka, Dubai
28 Sep – Final, Dubai
No points carry over from the group phase, so all four sides start level again. That quirks the schedule for Bangladesh, who must tackle India and Pakistan on successive days – both in the heat of Dubai. “It’s not ideal,” Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha admitted, “but you don’t complain when you reach this stage. Hydration tablets and clear plans – that’s the job.”
Pakistan, meanwhile, get a day off before their Abu Dhabi meeting with Sri Lanka. Captain Babar Azam, looking ahead to the India clash, kept it simple: “Same ground, different day. We just need to be a touch sharper in the powerplay.”
The Super Four concludes on 26 September, India against Sri Lanka, and the top two advance to the final two days later – again at Dubai International Stadium.
