Lanka are Favourites

20/6/09
By Gulu Ezekiel

Barring a major surprise, there seems little doubt that Sri Lanka will emerge champions after Sunday’s final of the World Cup T-20 championship.
Pakistan’s road to the final has seen its ups and downs. But the Lankans are the only team to remain unbeaten till now.
They were placed with Australia and the West Indies in Group C, the so-called ‘group of death’ in the first stage and came through on top.
In the Super 8 stage they comfortably beat New Zealand, Ireland and Pakistan. And their victory over the West Indies at the Oval in Friday’s semifinal was a stroll in the park. That makes it six wins on the trot, a tough feat in 20/20 cricket.
The win over Pakistan by 19 runs at Lord’s last week in the second stage will give them tremendous confidence going into Sunday’s final.
In Tillakaratne Dilshan they have the highest run scorer in the tournament by far and a batman capable of the most eye-popping shots. His dazzling innings 96 not out saw him fall just four runs short of becoming only the second batsman to reach a century in T-20 Internationals.
Till now their bowling attack was the most feared in the tournament due to the ‘Three M’s’—Malinga, Murali and Mendis.
Add to that a fourth, Angelo Mathews who sealed the match on Friday with three wickets in the opening over.
Pakistan’s unpredictability is what makes them so daunting and Lanka know they have a fight on their hands on Sunday.
Shahif Afridi is a one-man demolition job, much like Sanath Jayasuriya. What in the world went wrong with the left-hander on Friday though will remain one of cricket’s big mysteries.
Finally, the all-Asia final will resolve once and for all whether the IPL helped or hindered preparations.
Pakistan, remember had no representation at all in South Africa while there were a whole bunch of Lankans taking part.