A title clash though is a very different cup of tea from a league stage or Super 4 match. The pressure on the players in a big final is much more.
Add to that the fact that the world will be looking at the Lankans today to see if they can take a big step forward in their team rebuilding process and you know that Dasun Shanaka and co.
will be very keenly aware of just how much is at stake here for them. Pakistan on the other hand are being tagged the favourites, despite losing to the Lankans in the last Super 4 match. (AP Photo)Ahead of the final tonight in Dubai, here's some interesting statistical trivia on the two teams at this tournament over the years:# Sri Lanka have won two and lost one out of three Finals played against Pakistan in the Asia Cup. # Sri Lanka (195/5 off 42.2 overs) defeated Pakistan (191 for nine off 45 overs) by five wickets in the Final at Colombo (SSC) on April 6, 1986.
For Pakistan, Javed Miandad had posted 67 off 100 balls. He was adjudged the Man of the Match. # For Sri Lanka, two match-winning fifties were recorded - Aravinda de Silva (52) and Arjuna Ranatunga (57).