India's impressive win sets up title clash with Sri Lanka

Karachi: So true are the tracks at the National Stadium here, that even a score of around 310 is never safe. Once again, the team batting second made a mockery of the big score they chased. The Indian batsmen found few devils in the pitch and none at all in the bowling as they sailed to a comfortable win over Sri Lanka to book a place in the final of the Asia Cup.

Chasing Sri Lanka's 308-8, India comfortably reached 310-4 in 46.5 overs.

India now take on Sri Lanka again in the final on Sunday, while Pakistan and Bangladesh play for statistics on Friday.

There were times when India looked like getting into some sort of trouble, especially when they lost Suresh Raina and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in quick succession. The two had put on 99 runs together before Sharma was run out going for the 100th.

However, Yuvraj Singh and Rohit Sharma ensured that there were no alarms.

Three stands, the one between Dhoni and Raina, along with the 92 runs put in earlier by Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, and the unbeaten stand between Yuvraj and Sharma, ensured that India were never in no trouble.

Dhoni played like he is expected to, but seems to sometime not manage to do. His 67 was instrumental in ensuring that India's middle-order did not come under any pressure, and carried on with the good work later.

The distinction between the two sides was quite clear. India, needing to win this one, were nervous and unsure, while Sri Lanka, already in the final, were relaxed, but still had a great chance to put thing beyond India's reach.

But the fielders found their feet late in the game and managed to pull Sri Lanka down to 308-8, which may not be impossible to chase.

Sri Lanka at one stage were looking good for at least 320, if not more, but from the 41st over onwards, India managed to put into some long yards, and restricted the batting.

Chamara Kapugedera was the man for Sri Lanka, scoring a fine 75, while Mahela Jayawardene and Chamara Silva contirbuted 50 apiece. Among the Indian bowlers, no one really seemed to make much headway though RP Singh, returning to the XI, returned figures of 1-44 off 10 overs, quite decent under the circumstances. Irfan Pathan went for 80 off 10 overs.

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