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Singapore, April 6: A very crunch battle is on the cards for the triangular cup when world champions Sri Lanka play Pakistan in the final at The Padang on Sunday.

The two teams qualified for the final on better run-rate after all the sides, including India, ended up at two points each. Pak- istan earned a final birth by virtue of 0.56 net run-rate while Sri Lanka cruised through because of 0.22 net run-rate. India went home after having -0.46 run-rate.

Sunday's winner will pocket US$ 30,000 while the losing finalist will receive US $ 20,000. India have already got their share of US $ 10,000.

In the league games, Pakistan looked a superior team to Sri Lan- ka. Pakistan were though struck for 349 by Sri Lankans the way they accepted the challenge was really impressive as they scored 315 in their turn.

Against India, Pakistan needed a revised target of 187 to win in 33 overs which they achieved admirably with five overs and eight wickets to spare.

On the contrary, Sri Lanka after a good show against Pakistan, put up an lackluster performance against India to lose by 12 runs after being bowled out for 187 in reply to India's 199.

The Pakistanis look a completely different team in this South- east Asian tournament as they appear a combined and balanced unit.May it be because of the captain or management, it has cer- tainly helped Pakistan.

The players seems to be all fired up, making extra efforts and playing according to a game plan. Saeed Anwar and Inzamamul Haq, who often play reckless shots, batted sensibly in their two and one visits to the crease respectively while thecaptaincy has made Aamir Sohail a more determined and gritty batsman.

Even the bowlers have considerably improved. Waqar Younis, after being punished by Sanath Jayasuriya, came back strongly for his second spell and improved his violent effort against India. Aqib Javed, as always, is bang on target not trying to do anything careless and leaving it upto the batsmen to make mistakes.

Saqlain Mushtaq, the off-spinner, has become a more confident bowler as is evident from his figures of two for 45 and three for 38. He has also started giving air to the ball and most impor- tantly is bowling to his field.

Senior players like Salim Malik, Ramiz Raja and Ejaz Ahmad also have been handled brilliantly by Aamir Sohail. The three are made to know their importance in the team time and again by Sohail who often discusses things with them. These discussions force the seniors to get involved in team affairs and when it comes to per- forming, they give of their level best.

The scribes are unanimous in concluding that Pakistan is the most talented team but has not been able to perform because they real- ly didn't put their best foot forward. At least, in the two games, the new captain and experienced Intikhab Alam have been able to get the best out of his men.

But all the hard work and good rapport they have made here will go down the drain if they really play bad cricket on Sunday. If they have a real chance of coming out from the World Cup shock and get back on the winning track, it is tomorrow's match.

The players are confident of victory. The victory over India has really motivated the entire lineup, Pakistan captain Aamir Sohail said.

Sohail admitted that Jayasuriya is the man whom he would like to get out early. Of course, he is capable of tearing apart any bowling attack on his day and I would like to see him back in the dressing room as soon as possible. I have been talking to Waqar (Younis) and Aqib (Javed) and have chalked out a plan.

Sohail said Sri Lanka were a formidable combination.How can you term the world champions as push-overs? They are a very good team and have the potential to win but I think we are a better and well balanced outfit.

"It is going to be just another match for us. The pressure of be- ing world champions is on us, but when we take the field we don't think we are world champions," Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said, adding: "After the World Cup final, it has become difficult for us to play Pakistan because the entire Lahore crowd and prob- ably all Pakistan were praying for our success."

Ranatunga agreed that the small ground gives his team a little edge over Pakistan. But Pakistan also has sparkling batsmen like Sohail (Aamir), Anwar (Saeed) and Haq (Inzamam). Its an equal opportunity for both the teams.

"I would like to end the season on a winning note. It has been a terrific season for us and we want to end it with yet another victory," Ranatunga said whose men will now play in the Singer Series in August involving India, Zimbabwe and either Australia or South Africa.

For the final, both the teams are likely to make a few changes in their lineups. Although the official word will come on the morn of the match, Asanka Gurusinha and Kumar Dharmasena are expected to be back for Sri Lanka while Mushtaq Ahmad may make way for ei- ther Mohammad Akram or Ataur Rahman.

The weather here on Saturday is very clear with sun shining brightly. But the Singapore weather has earned a reputation of being unpredictable. It would be worse if the match becomes a re- duced overs one or is rescheduled for Monday, kept as a reserve day.

Since the Asia Cup in Sharjah last April, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have met seven times with the world champions winning on five oc- casions.

© The Dawn