Sabbir Hossain :
Reigning champions Pakistan and favorites Sri Lanka will face each other today (Saturday) in the final of the 12th Asia Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The clash starts at 2.00 pm BST (Bangladesh Standard Time).
State-owned television channel Bangladesh Television and private satellite channel Channel 9 will telecast the high-voltage final from the Stadium.
Before today’s match, Pakistan played against Sri Lanka in 138 ODI matches. Of them, Pakistan registered 80 wins, while Sri Lanka posted 53 victories, four matches were abandoned and one match ended in a tie.
But in the 12th Asia Cup occasion, Sri Lanka cruised into the final playing four matches and earned maximum four wins.
On the other hand, Pakistan won three matches and conceded a 12-run defeat to Sri Lanka.
Besides, world champions India clinched the Asia Cup for five times while Sri Lanka annexed the Asia Cup for four times and Pakistan emerged champions in the two occasions of Asia Cup. Captain of Pakistan team Misbah-ul-Haq said, “We played well in the last two matches. We are in the winning row and it is a positive thing for us. All of us are performing well. If we play positive, we will play fighting innings.”
Misbah said, “The wicket is typical. Besides, Sri Lanka have Mahela Jayawardene in their squad. Though Mahela have not get any notable score yet, but we do not take him lightly. He can shine with willow anytime.
We have separate plan to face in-form Kumar Sangakkara.” Misbah think that the final will be very competitive as they have world class spinner like Saeed Ajmal, while Sri Lanka have wizard spinner Ajantha Mendis. On the other hand, Captain of Sri Lanka team Angelo Mathews said, “It is great to have Sangakkara in such good form, but the others will also need to step up and rally around him if we are to win. Pakistan have shown how tough a side they are to beat. But we have our plans and are confident of doing well if we execute them well.”
