SRI LANKA, the world champions, and Pakistan - two of the most versatile one-day teams - promise a keen fare when the Independence Cup finals start in Mohali, India, today.

With the host country out of the fray, no-one doubts the two best teams in the four-nation tournament - organised to celebrate the 50th year of India's independence - deserve to contest the title.

The Sri Lankans, who lost their opening league match to Pakistan, lived up to their billing as World Cup champions by bouncing back to beat India and New Zealand.

The Pakistanis, even without three front-line bowlers and opener Aamir Sohail, beat India to qualify for the finals.

The Sri Lankans will have their work cut out against a confident Pakistani team inspired by opener Saeed Anwar's world-record score of 194 against India.

Sri Lankan bowlers have reason to fear Anwar. Six of the left-hander's 12 one-day centuries have come against them and all at venues outside Pakistan or Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, expects a tough encounter against a side who have won 44 of their 63 meetings so far.