Pakistan should enjoy Lankan dessert

The side led by star all-rounder Wasim Akram has brooked little challenge on its way to the final, twice making it a no-contest against the Caribbeans and treating the islanders themselves with disdain in the previous match after coming from nowhere to tie the first outing with them.

Entering the final with three wins and a tie, Pakistan look set for their second straight tournament victory — after the 3-0 sweep over West Indies in Toronto — following the reverse against Australia in the World Cup final.

Young batsmen Shahid Afridi, 17-year-old Hasan Raza, Yousuf Youhana and all-rounder Abdur Razzaq alongwith seasoned Inzamam-ul-Haq have been virtually unstoppable and have displayed superb temperament under pressure while the bowling has as always been razor sharp with improved fielding adding fresh thrust to the efforts.

While Pakistan players have the added motivation of gaining a berth for the coming Australian tour, Sri Lanka will strive to topple their rivals and will not be short on confidence coming after memorable performances at home.

Sri Lanka, who overcame their nightmarish World Cup campaign by winning a home tri-series against Australia and India also went on to upset the team from Down Under to pull off a historic Test series victory.

Sri Lanka, under Aussie coach Dave Whatmore, have regained their verve on the field which saw them beat the West Indies in their crucial league tie, but their performance has not been anything to shout about here.

Their batting is yet to collectively click and remains heavily dependent on skipper Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana as veteran Aravinda de Silva, recalled to the one-day squad, has not been his old self.

Pakistan have shown their ability to perform despite the pressures back home and have continued to find their men of the hour in the four league matches they played here.

Razzaq has made a major impact, grabbing five wickets to force a tie when Sri Lanka looked poised for a win and then cracking an unbeaten 59 in the return tie against the same rivals.

The regularity with which Pakistan has been able to unearth fast bowlers has been on display with rookies Shabbir Ahmed and Mohd Akram making a big impact alongside the young off-spinner Shoaib Malik, an understudy of the injured Saqlain Mushtaq who promises a lot in the near future.

Sri Lanka have made it to the final thanks to their lone win over the Caribbeans, but stopping the Pakistan juggernaut looks highly unlikely barring some sensational deed by the Sri Lankan slow bowling department.