India will be wary of Pakistan: Sangakkara

LONDON: Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara on Saturday declared that despite being the favourites India will be wary of Pakistan in their ICC Champions Trophy final here at The Oval on Sunday (today).

“It should be a brilliant day for spectators,” Sangakkara said.

“I certainly did not predict this final before the tournament, but no one can claim they don’t deserve to be there.

“Both teams have played some exceptional cricket, adapted really well to conditions, and have shown enormous heart and spirit.

“India will be very confident going into the game and it deserves to be: It has been the best team in the tournament playing consistently high-class cricket.

“All departments within the team are functioning at their best. Their batting has been peerless. Their bowling varied and penetrative. Their fielding alert and strong.

“But I know India will also be wary. It may have thrashed Pakistan in its opening game of the tournament, but it would have also hoped it was its last game against its arch-rival.

“The problem about playing Pakistan is that when all things click and the team gels in unison, it can become an overpowering force – as a very strong England team found out this week.

“Pakistan is a perilous opponent when on song and India knows that it can’t sit back on past victories or ICC rankings. It needs to rise to the occasion and be at its very best.

“While India’s strength lies in its batting, especially its fantastic top four, Pakistan’s strength is its superb bowling attack.

“If Mohammad Amir fully recovers from his back spasm and returns, it will have plenty of firepower to throw at India.

“Unlike some teams, it is also able to sustain pressure after the new ball period by exploiting reverse swing. In this regard, the skiddy and passionate Hasan Ali has been sensational.

“Pakistan batting, although talented, can be its weak point. Its fielding can also be up and down. In both departments in can be brilliance or disaster.