Sri Lanka on the edge

Sri Lanka may be sitting pretty at the top of Group B with four points, but their place in the Super Four of the Asia Cup is far from secure.

- By CHAMPIKA FERNANDO IN ABU DHABI

Their scrappy win over Hong Kong China has left questions unanswered, and as they meet Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi today, the equation is clear. Win and they qualify, lose and they will be left sweating on the net run rate.

Sri Lanka currently have four points from two matches and a net run rate of +1.546. Bangladesh, already finished with their fixtures, also have four points but their run fate sits at -0.270. Afghanistan are third with two points, though their superior figure of +2.150 gives them the best rate of the group.

If Sri Lanka win, they will join Bangladesh in the next stage. If Afghanistan win, they will qualify regardless of the margin. The real danger for Sri Lanka comes in defeat. Should Afghanistan bat first and win by 65 runs or more, it would be Bangladesh who go through alongside them. If Afghanistan chase, Sri Lanka will only fall behind Bangladesh if their opponents reach the target with 50 balls to spare.