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DUBAI: Pakistan will be gunning for revenge but an unbeaten India look firm favorites to retain the Asia Cup title when the arch-rivals clash in a potentially testy final in Dubai on Sunday.

The Indian juggernaut has crushed every opposition on their path before swaggering into the final of the eight-team tournament looking every inch the reigning 20-over world champions.

Pakistan were swatted aside twice, first in the group stage and then in Super Fours, by an India team containing the world’s top-ranked batter and bowler in the T20 format in opener Abhishek Sharma and spinner Varun Chakravarthy.

Six-hitting machine Abhishek is also the tournament’s leading scorer with 309 runs from six innings, often setting the tone of India’s batting in the first six powerplay overs.

In a low-scoring tournament where only Pathum Nissanka of Sri Lanka managed a century, Abhishek’s red-hot form at the top meant skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s struggle with the bat has not really been felt.

Wily seamer Jasprit Bumrah has helped India control the powerplay overs with the ball but left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav has been their wrecker-in-chief leading the bowlers’ chart with 13 wickets.

Fellow spinners Axar Patel and Chakravarthy have also kept it tight in the middle overs and the slew of all-rounders at his disposal has left Suryakumar practically spoilt for bowling choices.

Sparks flew and tempers frayed both times India and Pakistan met in what is their first tournament since a military conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors in May.

India survived a scare in Friday’s dead rubber when they edged out Sri Lanka via Super Over, which should shake off any complacency that might have crept into their campaign.

“(I got) what I wanted from the boys — just to try and execute their plans, be clear and not to fear,” Suryakumar said of their flawless campaign heading into the final.

“That was really important and I am sure everyone got what they wanted. Happy to be in the final.”

Pakistan will naturally be motivated to avoid a third defeat to the arch-rivals in a single tournament and will take heart from their narrow victory in Thursday’s virtual semifinal against Bangladesh.

“Very excited,” Pakistan captain Salman Agha said of the final against India.

“We know what we need to do, and we are a good enough team to beat anyone, and we will come on Sunday and try to beat them.”

MANCHESTER: Two own goals by Maxime Esteve ended Burnley’s hopes of fighting back as Manchester City cruised to a 5-1 Premier League win on Saturday, with Erling Haaland scoring a late brace.
City’s third win in the campaign took them to 10 points from six matches, reducing the gap with champions Liverpool to five points, after the leaders lost 2-1 at Crystal Palace.
“It was a difficult game but we controlled it better in the second half. It was a good victory,” said Matheus Nunes, who scored City’s second goal.
“We’re still trying to reach the level we used to be with control in every game. We want to win every game but sometimes it isn’t easy. We’ll get there.”
City took an early lead when Burnley keeper Martin Dubravka palmed away Jeremy Doku’s shot but it rebounded toward Phil Foden, and Esteve’s hurried attempt to clear the danger went into the net instead.
The hosts dominated possession and subdued the Burnley attack, with the visitors unable to make an attempt to score until the 23rd minute, when Kyle Walker tried his luck with a long shot.
Dubravka deflected Nico Gonzalez’s shot for a corner and punched away Foden’s free kick to keep Burnley in the game, as a dominant City looked to double their lead.
But Burnley’s very first shot on target found the equalizer in the 38th minute, when Jaidon Anthony played a one-two with Quilindschy Hartman and fired with his left foot inside the box. The ball took a deflection off Ruben Dias and hopped into the net.

HAALAND SHINES IN THE SECOND HALF
Anthony’s fourth goal of the season reinvigorated Burnley and the visitors pushed for a second goal after the break, with Hartman’s shot testing City keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
But City regained the lead in the 61st minute when Haaland, who had a quiet first half as he returned from a back injury, leapt to head down a cross for Nunes to finish from close range.
Esteve’s second own goal came four minutes later, as substitute Oscar Bobb’s shot hit the French defender before going in near the far post, giving City a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Dubravka kept out shots from Tijjani Reijnders and Doku as City piled on the pressure, but he could not deny Haaland when the Norwegian forward found the net from Doku’s pass.
Haaland scored again in added time as a mix-up between defenders Esteve and Hjalmar Ekdal allowed the league’s leading scorer to break through toward goal and slot in his eighth goal in the campaign, sealing a 5-1 win for City.
City manager Pep Guardiola said he was happy with his team’s performance in the second half in the absence of midfielder Rodri, who missed the game due to an injury.
“I don’t know right now how the pain is in his knee. He said to us that he was not ready to play,” Guardiola told the BBC.
Burnley’s third loss in the last four games left them struggling at 17th in the table, with only four points.
City, who visit AS Monaco for a Champions League clash on Wednesday, will continue their English top-flight campaign at Brentford on October 5, the same day Burnley visit Aston Villa.