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'Pakistan are favourites but...': Wasim Akram warns Babar & Co. not to take Sri Lanka lightly in Asia Cup final

The Babar Azam-led Pakistani team will be up against Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup T20 tournament on Sunday. It will be the second meeting between them in the continental event this year. The Pakistani team will be desperate to take revenge for their defeat in the Super 4 match and bag the title.

TN Sports Desk

Updated Sep 11, 2022, 13:14 IST

Sri Lanka will face Pakistan in final of Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday.

Photo : AP

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

In the final of the Asia Cup 2022, Sri Lanka will be up against Pakistan.
Sri Lanka have won their last four matches.
According to Wasim Akram, Pakistan will be the favourites to bag the title.

In the final match of the ongoing Asia Cup T20 tournament, Sri Lanka will be up against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday (September 11). It will be the second meeting between both these sides in the competition this year. They met once in the Super 4 round in which Sri Lanka beat Men in Green by 5 wickets. But the final will be a totally different ballgame, and both sides will look to make a fresh start.

The Islanders have won the continental event five times in the past, while Pakistan have won it on two occasions. Ahead of the big final, former Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram has said that Babar Azam & Co. will be the favourites for the title, but they need to be wary of a Sri Lankan side that could create trouble for them, like the same way they did in the Super 4 match on Friday.

Like Pakistan, Sri Lanka also started the tournament with a defeat in the opening game, but then they regrouped and put up an impressive show. They are on a winning run of four matches.

While talking to BBN Sports, Akram said that Pakistan will learn from their mistakes and will start as favourites in the final. However, he said that they would have to be wary of the in-form Sri Lankan side.

"The performance of the Pakistan team has been fabulous in this Asia Cup. However, in the game against Sri Lanka, the intent was missing in their batting. The bowling was decent though. Hopefully, they will learn from their mistakes. But still, I think Pakistan are the favourites in the finals. But the exciting and young Sri Lanka team cannot be taken easy," Akram said.

"Pakistan cricket lovers have been saying that our middle order is a bit inexperienced, and it was exposed in the last Super 4 game after Rizwan got out. But it will be a good wicket in the final. Hopefully, they will come back stronger," he added.

The legendary pacer also backed skipper Babar Azam to get back to his best in the final and hailed him as one of the best players in the world.

"Babar is one of the best players in the world and needs just one good innings. He struggled a bit because he was worried about the lack of runs. But the good thing is, he has spent time on the crease, and for any great player, that matters as well. I think he’ll do well in the final," said Akram.

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