If the World Twenty20 has taught us anything it is that there is no such thing as firm favourites. The pre-competition bookmakers’ choice, India departed in the Super Eights; the critics’ nominee, South Africa exited in the semifinals. In effect, previous outsiders, Sri Lanka and Pakistan will contest the final.

Sri Lanka’s performance in the tournament has, however, increasingly made them contenders for the title. They are unscathed at every stage, having disposed of Australia, New Zealand, the West Indies (twice) as well as Pakistan en route to the final. And they have won their matches quite conclusively.

Therefore, the tip for Sunday has got to be the Sri Lankans’. But to write off the mercurial Pakistan would be to do so at one’s peril!

Sri Lanka’s strength lie in its first four batsmen - Tilakaratne Dilshan, the most impressive of all in the tourney; Sanath Jayasuriya, who will soon be 40, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. They have collectively held firm; yet Pakistan’s chance would centre round removing this quartet cheaply.

Younus Khan has been employing his most incisive quicker bowler, Umar Gul with the older ball. In other words, the ones entrusted with the new ball lack the same experience or penetration. To contain the cream of the Sri Lankan batting, Pakistan would ideally need to capture a couple of wickets in the first three or four overs.

Shahid Afridi and Saeed Ajmal have undoubtedly troubled opposition. The Sri Lankans, accustomed to spin, may play them better; at the same time, the pressure of having to go for shots might result in mistakes.

The Pakistani batting has been less convincing than their bowling. While Kamran Akmal and Afridi have the ability to tee off explosively, the rest of their stalwarts haven’t demonstrated this acumen. Misbah-ul-Haq indicated in the previous World Twenty20 that he can hit the ball long distances; but hasn’t provided an encore on this occasion yet.

Abdul Razzaq, another potential heavy hitter, appears to be rediscovering his feet in international cricket after a stint with Kapil Dev’s Indian Cricket League. Also, the Sri Lankan bowling may not permit the Pakistani batsmen too many liberties.

Angelo Mathews is unlikely to grab three wickets in an over, as he did in the semifinals; but round-arm Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan prodigious turn and Ajantha Mendis’ mystery indicate consistency in the championship so far.

The Pakistanis have undoubtedly read Mendis the best. It will be fascinating to see if this wispy spinner from Sri Lanka’s services responds with a hitherto unrevealed bag of tricks. A mid-afternoon match in dry conditions should, of course, favour batsmen unless cloud cover induces swing.

London, June 19
Defending Champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of Wimbledon on Friday after losing his battle to recover from a knee injury. “Unfortunately this year I won’t be able to play at Wimbledon,” he told a news conference in Spanish. The Spaniard, who has been struggling with tendinitis in his knees since being knocked out of the French Open last month, tested his fitness in two exhibition matches this week but after losing both decided not to defend his Wimbledon title just three days before the start of the major.

He will be the first man not to defend his All England Club crown since Croatia's Goran Ivanisevic skipped the grasscourt Grand Slam in 2002. “Not to play Wimbledon is one of the toughest decisions in my career but the decision was made easier because I don't feel ready to compete at 100 percent,” said Nadal, who becomes only the third man ever not to defend his title in southwest London.

“I don’t feel like I’m ready to play in a tournament that is as important as Wimbledon so I have decided I cannot play this year. I was making an effort to play week after week ... but I have two oedema (swelling of the knee joint), one in each knee... and now I’m going to be out and I don't know for how long. — Reuters

London, June 20
England would look to assert their supremacy in women’s cricket by winning another major title when they clash with New Zealand in the final of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup here tomorrow.

England, the one-day world champions, have hardly put a foot wrong in the event and have won all their four encounters with consummate ease. The Kiwis are no push overs as they too are unconquered so far, winning all their league matches before crushing India in the semifinal.

Both the sides have some exciting batters in their side and going by their performance so far, another high scoring match is on the cards. The trio of skipper Charlotte Edwards, Sarah and Claire Taylor at the top makes a dangerous England line up and Kiwi bowlers have to get rid of them quickly if they are to upset the formidable hosts.

The awesome threesome share five fifties among them and have done bulk of the scoring for the hosts. Claire has hit two half-centuries in the event with the second and a scintillating one coming against Australia in the semifinal on Friday.

Kiwi left-arm seamer Sian Ruck, who has the ability to swing the ball, will have to deliver if New Zealand are to contain the England top-order. For New Zealand a lot depends on the performance of skipper Aimee Watkins, who is in red hot form. She has two half-centuries under her belt and has a penchant of making big scores.

The left-handed skipper will have to fire one more time to put the hosts under pressure although she has a strong batting line up with Suzie Bates at the top and Nicola Browne and Sara McGlashan in the middle.

Lucy Doolan has shown her all round abilities and could emerge as a key performer for the visitors. England have a good pace attack in Laura Marsh, Katherine Brunt and Nicky Shaw but spinner Holly Colvin is the one who is real threat for New Zealand.

The left-armer, with her nine wicket tally, has taken wickets in all the games she has played in this tournament. In all two very talented sides are going to clash for the top honours in what promises to be an exciting contest at the Lord’s ahead of the men’s final. — PTI 

Silverstone, June 20
Formula One’s most successful driver Michael Schumacher lent his support to a Ferrari-led breakaway series on Saturday, saying it was realistic. “It is simply not understandable that all teams share their view on how to approach the reforms and the governing body still wants to implement something else,” the seven times world champion said.

“Of course this seems unimaginable in the first moment, but this time all big teams stick together. This makes a new championship much more realistic. It is starting to be a real alternative to me,” added the German.

BMW-Sauber, Brawn, Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, Renault, Toro Rosso and Toyota announced on Thursday that they were preparing to set up their own championship after a breakdown in talks with the governing body over next year’s rules.

Schumacher, who won five of his titles with Ferrari and the other two with Renault’s predecessors Benetton, decried the amount of politics in the sport. “I really hope those political games will soon be ended, they were getting on my nerves during all my career,” he said. — Reuters

England eves takes on NZ in T20 WC final
London: England would look to assert their supremacy in women’s cricket by winning another major title when they clash with New Zealand in the final of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup here on Sunday. England, the one-day world champions, have hardly put a foot wrong in the event and have won all their four encounters with consummate ease. The Kiwis are no push overs as they too are unconquered so far, winning all their league matches before crushing India in the semifinal. — PTI

Jeev eight-over after first round
FARMINGDALE: Jeev Milkha Singh’s impeccable US Open record looks in jeopardy with a poor opening round of eight-over 78, risking his chances of making the cut in the elite golf tournament. Starting at five-over after eight holes, he birdied the ninth and tenth to bounce back but spoilt the good work on the par-four 12th hole that cost him three strokes. — PTI

Narain hopeful of FOTA-FIA truce
MUMBAI: The current imbroglio between the top Formula One teams and the sport’s governing body FIA notwithstanding, ace Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan today hoped that the issue would be resolved soon. “Its quite interesting... Personally I feel both have a lot to offer each other and they will come to a compromise soon,” — PTI

Sutil 3rd in second practice session
SILVERSTONE: Force India raised quite a few eyebrows with Adrian Sutil coming a stunning third in the second free practice session ahead of Monday’s British Grand Prix. Sutil’s afternoon position is the team’s highest-placed Friday classification so far this season. — PTI

Tevez to leave Man U
LONDON: Carlos Tevez will leave English Premier League champions Manchester United, the club confirmed on Saturday. A statement said: “Following contact received from Carlos Tevez’s advisors last night, in advance of the deadline the Club set for concluding negotiations, it announces that Carlos will not be signing a new contract with the Club.” — AFP

Chhetri supports Houghton
Noida: India striker Sunil Chhetri on Saturday supported coach Bob Houghton’s idea of national players not playing in domestic tournaments like Santosh Trophy and Durand Cup. “We could not play more international matches due to Durand Cup and Santosh Trophy,” he added. Chettri felt Houghton has been producing good results with the national team. — PTI