CRICKET NEWS - INDIA

Sri Lanka win by 100 runs and lift the Asia Cup

Cricket Giants India-Sri Lanka collide for Asia Cup crown on Sunday

KARACHI, July 5 (APP): Cricketing Giant India will collide with Reigning Champions Sri Lanka for the ninth edition of Asia Cup crown at here on Sunday. It will be a great battle between Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s youthful India side against their experienced Sri Lanka opponents led by Mahela Jayawardene in a day/night encounter at the National Stadium.

Sri Lankan, who is featuring in their eighth final enjoyed a slight edge over India in presence of big hitting Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Chaminda Vaas and spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan.

Wicketkeeper/batsman Sangakkara is leading the way in the batting for the Lankan with 356 runs including three centuries.

However Lanka player to watch will be Ajantha Mendis, who has impressed everyone with his grand variety of spin bowling mixing with his medium pacers to mesmerize the batsmen.

23-year-old Mendis, who was rested and kept away from the India team, has already emerged as tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 11. He could prove a decisive factor in the final on this batting track if he get going.

Defenders Sri Lanka will be looking to win their fourth title to equal the record of India of winning the continental on four occasions.

However home crowd and supporters of Pakistan team around the world, will be badly missing their team in final, which was knocked out of the race of the final after Sri Lanka suffered a defeat against India.

Ex-four time champions India may have taken the psychological advantage with crucial victory in the super four stage. But as always said by the captains and experts “Every match if new match in ODIs and you have to start afresh”.

Though on the papers Sri Lanka looked a superior side but Dhoni’s young team quite capable of turning table on the team from the Pearl Islands.

Top Indian infrom batting trio led by Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and tournament’s top runs scorers Suresh Raina (356) and skipper Dhoni could proved a major threat if they were able to overcome pacers and later handled the spin duo of Murli and Mendis.

Indians have greater batting depth and if Sri Lanka bangs through the formidable batting they may enhance their chances for the record equalling fourth title.

Veteran Jayasuriya, who is not at his brilliant best in the event is at threshold of creating new mark with his 25th Asia Cup appearance to go past compatriot Aravinda de Silva, who featured in 24 Asia Cup matches.