The World Cup Final on Sunday between Pakistan and Australia promises to be as gripping and exciting as the Australia-South Africa semi-final on June 17, which was tied to the advantage of the former.

The handsome Pakistani skipper, Wasim Akram, who leads from the front, has gone on record to say that he would like to retire after winning the World Cup. Sunday will reveal whether Akram's dream will be realized or it will remain a pipe dream.

Akram wants his team not to be psyched by the courage that Australia has displayed throughout the tournament. Of course, Akram is expected to din home this message to the players when they meet in the now famous huddle before Sunday's do-or-die final.

The semi final against South Africa was won for Australia by the magical leg spin bowling by Shane Warne. At one stage, South Africa was cruising to victory, until Warne took three wickets in 8 balls.

However, Warne will find the Pakistani batsmen to be a different kettle of fish. Adept at playing spin in the Indian sub-continent, the Pakistanis have the potential of making mincemeat of Warne's bowling. And, Saqlain Mushtaq's off spin may well test the Australian batsmen with the teasing flight and the variable bounce.

Thus, Australia will have to depend on the ace paceman, Glenn McGrath, to account for the Pakistani top order. However, in this department too, Shoaib Akhtar, the fastest bowler on earth, and Wasim Akram, with his angled moving deliveries, are more than a match for the Australians.

The Pakistanis have perfected the art of reverse swing towards the end of the innings, after shining the ball on only one side in the early and middle overs. Yes, the Australians have found the ideal method to counter the reverse swing by asking for a new ball once some 40 overs have been bowled with the old one, undoing all the Pakistani hard work of preparing the ball for reverse swing.

Indeed, the Pakistani top order does not need either a Warne or a McGrath to send it back to the pavilion. The batsmen can commit hara-kiri without external aid. In contrast, the Australians are better in this department, and the Kangaroos keep their head, especially while chasing. The Pakistanis are known to be poor chasers, on the other hand.

The real strength of the Pakistani batting lies in the late-middle order. Moin Khan and Wasim Akram, not to forget Azhar Mehmood, have pulled Pakistan from the brink in league matches. Now, Saeed Anwar and Inzimam have also found form.

In the fielding department, Australia is way ahead of Pakistan, what with Ricky Ponting and Bevan. However, Pakistan more than makes up the lack of talent in this department with sheer grit and determination.

Clearly, Sunday's final, will be a contest between the aggressive fervor of Pakistan studded with individual heroism on the one hand, and the professional team work and playing to a game plan by the Aussies on the other. Will fervor prevail over professionalism? Will individual heroism prevail over teamwork? Will Sunday's match be won by positive play or will it be lost by silly mistakes?

Without doubt, the team that keeps its cool and does not panic will carry home the World Cup.

In the league encounter, Pakistan beat Australia in a close match, thanks to some inspired bowling by Saqlain and Akram in the final overs.

And, yes, the toss will be crucial. Steve Waugh, the Australian captain, has lost six tosses in a row, and it is his chance to win the crucial one.

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