Can India still qualify for Asia Cup 2022 final in Dubai?

Sri Lanka's sensational win in their Super 4 match in Dubai on Tuesday seems to have thrown the prediction of a straightforward showdown between India and and Pakistan in the final out of the window.

Pakistan avenged their loss to India in the group phase by chasing down 182 with one ball to spare through stunning knocks by Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz. Then Sri Lanka put a terrible start to the campaign - an eight-wicket loss to Afghanistan - behind them by chasing down 174 against the Indians with one ball in hand at the Dubai International Stadium.

That means both Pakistan and Sri Lanka are one step closer to the final that will take place in Dubai on Sunday.

India's qualification for the title match that earlier seemed to be a formality is now looking almost impossible.

Wednesday, September 7: Afghanistan v Pakistan, Sharjah (6pm)

Thursday, September 8: Afghanistan v India, Dubai

Friday, September 9: Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Dubai

Sunday, September 11: Final, Dubai

Super 4 points table:

1. Sri Lanka: 2 matches, 4 points, net run rate 0.351

2. Pakistan: 1 match, 2 points, NRR 0.126

3. India: 2 matches, 0 points, NRR -0.125

4. Afghanistan: 1 match, 0 points, -0.589

Pakistan's Shadab Khan bowls against India in the Asia Cup 2022 clash at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pawan Singh / The National

As is expected in such scenarios, India will need a lot of favours from other teams to make it to the final. Firstly, they need Pakistan to lose both their remaining matches. India must then beat Afghanistan by a big enough margin to leapfrog Pakistan in the points table. If that happens, India and Sri Lanka will make it to the final.

However, if Pakistan defeat Afghanistan on Wednesday, it will mean end of the road for