Asia Cup seems like an India-Pakistan tournament, but history says it won't allow them to play the final: Aakash Chopra

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has highlighted that the Asia Cup has never witnessed an India-Pakistan clash in the final despite the two sides being historically the most formidable on paper. Notably, India have cemented their spot in the final of the ACC event, which is slated to be played on Sunday, September 17.

Co-hosts Sri Lanka and Pakistan will be up against each other in a virtual semi-final match as the winner will advance to the summit clash. As the two sides gear up for the crucial fixture, cricketer-turned-broadcaster Chopra observed that India and Pakistan have never locked horns in the final in the history of the competition. 

Check: Aisa Cup 2023, PAK vs SL Live Match Updates

"If we see today's match, it has become a straight shoot-out. The big thing is that this tournament's history says that it won't allow an India-Pakistan final even though you might try your best,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel

Notably, Sri Lanka last won an ODI match in 2015 against the Men in Green and will need to up the ante to have a shot in the summit clash of the ACC event. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will qualify for the final courtesy of a better Net Run Rate (NRR) in case the game is washed out or abandoned.

Check: Asia Cup 2023 Points Table

Seems like it's an India-Pakistan tournament: Aakash Chopra

Chopra further added that all attempts were made to see multiple India-Pakistan clashes throughout the tournament. and highlighted that only the fixture between the arch-rivals obtained a reserve day unlike the other teams in the mix in the Super Four stage.

"Who did you keep in your group - Nepal. You made only two teams to go out from the six and then wanted to play in the Super Four and the final as well. So, it seems like it's an India-Pakistan tournament. Only India-Pakistan gets a reserve day as well, no one else gets it,” he added.