India feel the heat against Sri Lanka

India face a stern test as they take on Sri Lanka in a crucial Asia Cup encounter on Thursday to ensure a place in Sunday's final.

After having lost the match against Pakistan by eight wickets on Wednesday, India have two options ahead of them. The first being an outright win and the second, a close loss to the Lankans so as to ensure that a Pakistan victory over Bangladesh on Friday does not upset the present favourable net run rate ratio.

While it would be best for India to register a win, former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram reckons Sri Lanka have the edge.

"India is playing two matches in two days, while Sri Lanka have got two day's rest. They have the edge," he told Mobile ESPN.

Akram said the teams had now understood the true nature of the wicket at Karachi and had realised that the wicket did not deteriorate for the team batting second.

He said a "score of 300 is chaseable, so a score in the range of 320 to 340 will be a safe score".

"It's a true test of good cricketers on these flat tracks, especially the bowlers," he added.

Cricket expert Harsha Bhogle said the outcome of the match "will depend a lot on the approach the Lankans take".

"It is to be seen whether they do play all their seniors. The general feeling is that Jayasuriya will play, but the Lankans may also relax a bit and try out a few things," he said.

However, Bhogle also believed that the Lankans might want to head in to the final with a win over India.

"They have had a break and they have another two days before the final. So they are very well placed to field their best 11. And nothing better than a win over India, going into the final," he said.

The expert commentator said that India had been "erring on the side of caution" by fielding more batsmen and having only four specialist bowlers.

"India have a few problems to sort out. They might now play an extra bowler in the place of Yusuf Pathan. They've allowed all teams to get 280 plus scores. India might go the other way and play the extra bowler," he said.

He reminded that all of Pakistan will be "barracking for Sri Lanka" and therefore, for India, "a win is imperative".