Arjuna Ranatunga's World Cup champions have beaten India five times with only one defeat over the last two seasons and are expected to avenge their defeat in the last Asia Cup final at Sharjah in 1995.

Ranatunga was wary of taking victory for granted. ``Past records may favour us but that does not count,'' he said.

Sri Lanka won all three matches in the preliminary league, which also featured Pakistan and ICC champions Bangladesh. India saw their match against Pakistan washed out after reducing them to 30 for five but withstood the weather and a tough target to beat Bangladesh and reach the final.