Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in final

SHARJAH-After having decimated New Zealand in an awesome display of power-packed, enthralling cricket, Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the Sharjah Cup 2002 final on Wednesday. And the encounter has all the promise of a slugfest in the true sense of the word.

Having beaten Pakistan twice in as many games in the double league, the Lankans have already hurt Pakistan's pride. And skipper Waqar Younis and his charges would do their utmost to avenge those defeats and take home the Trophy. And indeed, those setbacks are of no relevance; as Younis insisted while talking with this scribe, it is going to be another day, and another match, and Pakistan is well equipped to turn the tables on Sri Lanka.

There is no doubt about Pakistan's potential. The only area of concern is that, to the chagrin of most of their supporters, more often than not they tend to under-perform and under-achieve. But one has to grant it to Waqar and the boys, however grudgingly so, that they have learnt from their mistakes and tried to be more organised and more methodical than they usually are.

Though some chinks remain, they seem primed for this battle for the title between the South Asian neighbours. The good news is that most of the bowlers have regained their form and rhythm. Of crucial importance was off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq's return to form, as well as Wasim Akram's getting back amongst the wickets. Both had three wickets apiece against New Zealand in the last pool game, and Saqlain seemed to be back if not to his best, at least close to it. The rest were already in reasonably good nick, and the return of these two maestros, Saqlain and Akram, has added to the bite and sting of this Pakistan attack.

As for the batting, it is now looking good, to the extent of being ominous, with Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi playing well in tandem at the top. The worries about the form of Inzamam and Yousuf Youhana are also a thing of the past, and though both have yet to strike it big, in their little cameos both have showed that they could explode at any time - as can Younis Khan. Which is what exactly Shahid Afridi and Imran Nazir did the other night, though not in the same order. Audacious and great strikers of the ball, these two young openers seem to be the answer to Pakistan's prayers for a regular pair at the top, capable of dictating terms on a consistent basis.

Above all, Pakistan has displayed here that it is getting better organised while chasing substantial totals. Though they lost their second game against the Lankans by eight runs, with five wickets in tact, it was not a lack of organisation in their chase that undid them at the last stretch but some remarkable bowling at the death by the duo of Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa. To their credit, they had countered Muttiah Muralitharan with a lot of method, keeping him wicketless.

While Pakistan seemed to have left their blues behind them with their awe-inspiring display against the Black Caps, the Lankans nevertheless remain formidable opponents. Pakistan would need to be at their very best to beat them for the second title on the trot in this desert emirate.

The Lankans for their part have the batting and the bowling, not to mention livewire fielding, to inflict another defeat on Pakistan. They have amply displayed their professionalism throughout this tournament. Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya has that uncanny ability to change his bowlers at just the right moment and his own batting prowess to dent any attack in the world.

And both contenders for the title being at their best is what makes it a most intriguing finale.