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Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet in a dress-rehearsal match |
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News |
June 5, 2000
Dhaka, June 4 (UNB)- Ahead of the final battle in the Seventh Asia Cup Cricket, Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet in a dress-rehearsal match tomorrow (Monday).
The day-night last-league encounter begins at 2:30pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, the venue for the seventh version of the region’s prime cricket fiesta.
Tomorrow’s match forfeited its notability for cricket fans as four-time champions India bowed out from the race being dumped by their old-foe Pakistan.
But it bears importance for the finalists as morale booster for reaching the finale with unbeaten streak.
Both teams beat hosts Bangladesh and India to earn the ticket of the final, scheduled for Wednesday.
Pakistan has good chances this time to turn out their title drought in the region’s prestigious tournament as they have failed to clutch the laurels on five previous occasions.
Spirited Pakistani captain Moin Khan also sounded his optimism after beating India on Saturday that they were “now confident” about clinching the title from Sri Lanka.
The record book of the Asia Cup Cricket favored the Lankans as they defeated mighty Pakistan on four occasions. Pakistan won the only match against islanders in the second Asia Cup in Colombo.
But Pakistan is now in good form with two three-nation one-day series in their pocket before their appearance in the four-nation Dhaka tournament.
They proved their worth in the tournament against India to prove that the record book is now not enough against their team spirit.
Youngsters of the Pakistan squad have been giving tremendous service and have ability to change the match feature.
Moin Khan also believed that his new guys gave hundred percent efforts to win the match, but “the win came from total team effort”.
Specially, Pakistan has advantageous position against their rivals as they have some quality all-rounder like Abdur Razzak and Azhar Mahmood in the squad.
Pakistani bowling attack, led by ace Wasim Akram, is one of the best in world cricket and they have capacity to defend any runs.
But it is also true that Sri Lanka also are playing well with their professional attitude after their disastrous world-cup campaign.
The new faces of the islanders also showed their ability and Sri Lanka also is strong with their tremendous fielding side.
Moreover, the former world champions have titans like Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya who muster the power to take any match result in their favor.
Holders Sri Lanka are determined to retain their title and proved it earning a comfortable victory against India and Bangladesh.
The previous results between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup:
First Asia Cup in Sharjah: Sri Lanka won by five wickets (Pakistan—189/9 in 46 overs, Sri Lanka—190/5 in 43.3 overs).
Second Asia Cup in Colombo: Pakistan won by 81-run (Pakistan—197/10 in 45 overs, Sri Lanka—116/10 in 33.5 overs).
Third Asia Cup in Dhaka: Sri Lanka won by five wickets ( Pakistan—194/7 in 44 overs, Sri Lanka—195/5 in 38.5 overs).
Fifth Asia Cup in Sharjah: Sri Lanka won by five wickets (Pakistan 178/9 in 50 overs, Sri Lanka-- —/5 in 30.5 overs).
Sixth Asia Cup in Colombo: Sri Lanka won by 15 runs (Sri Lanka—239/10 in 49.5 overs, Pakistan—224/9 in 50 overs).
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