Ranatunga exudes confidence

CALCUTTA, May 26: The Sri Lankan camp exuded quiet confidence on eve of the second best-of-three final of the Independence Cup against Paki...

CALCUTTA, May 26: The Sri Lankan camp exuded quiet confidence on eve of the second best-of-three final of the Independence Cup against Pakistan at the Eden Gardens today. They will take to the field, basking in the knowledge that they are not only 1-0 up, but also that they have beaten their opponents quite convincingly in the first match.

8220;Oh yes, our boys are in an upbeat mood, said skipper Ranatunga. Unseasonal rains perhaps have made them all the more happy as, in case of a wash-out tomorrow, they will at least not stand a chance of losing the final.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Jagmohan Dalmiya clarified that a 1-1 tie will result in both the teams being declared joint winners.

Sri Lanka8217;s strike bowler Chaminda Vaas is 8220;more than 50 per cent fit.8221; However, Ranatunga said that they haven8217;t yet taken any decision whether to play him or not. 8220;Our physiotherapist and Vaas will decide that tomorrow morning,8221; Ranatunga said. Other than Vaas, Sri Lanka does not face any injury problems.

In contrast, Pakistan have some serious problems with Abdul Razzaq having been ruled out after a surgery and Inzamam-ul Haq almost certain to watch the proceedings from the dressing room. 8220;My chances of playing are very slim,8221; said Haq from his room. The light drizzle throughout the evening kept the Pakistan team in their hotel as the Eden Gardens was unfit for practice.

The Pakistan reinforcement, off-spinner Arshad Khan is unlikely to play tomorrow, while Mohammad Wasim could well take the field. The Pakistan team, like their Lankan counterparts, have decided to select the squad tomorrow, after having a look at the ground.

Although the Lankans came to the Eden Gardens, they too stayed indoors, quite content to allow the lush green ground to soak in the light drizzle.

Story continues below this ad

Ranatunga is clearly banking on his strong batting line-up to come good again. 8220;Our batsmen are really doing well.8221; He was quick to add that the Pakistan line-up is also quite good and Saeed Anwar, in particular, needs careful watching.

Ranatunga feels a score of 275 should be a good enough target to set. 8220;Of course, getting more would be useful,8221; he said agreeing that the weather will be a crucial factor tomorrow.

Former Pakistan captain Asif Iqbal advised Pakistan to bowl straight and to their field. That, he feels, is the only way to curb the Lankans.