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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.”

KARACHI: A female camel that came under a violent attack in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province has undergone surgical procedures on its jaw and hind right leg, the Sindh chief minister’s office said on Saturday, with veterinarians now focusing on restoring her health.

The owner of the camel, nicknamed ‘Chandni,’ had nominated Rasool Baksh Sheikh, Qurban Brohi and Malik Umar as suspects in his complaint to police last week, according to officials.

The three individuals crushed the hind right leg of the animal on Sept. 18 for trespassing on their fields in Sindh’s Sukkur district. Police later arrested Brohi and Sheikh, while the third accused remains on the run.

The animal has undergone surgical procedures to fix its jaw and amputate the injured leg, according to Sindh Livestock Secretary Kazim Jatoi. Experts completed the three-hour-long operation without bleeding.

“Camel Chandni is now out of danger and conscious,” Jatoi said in a report sent to Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah. “She will be able to take food in two days and eat fully in three to five weeks.”

After being crushed by the suspects, the camel’s leg had become infected with no hopes of fixing, according to Sarah Jahangir, Director of the Comprehensive Disaster Response Services (CDRS) Benji Project shelter where the animal is currently being treated.

The panel of vets decided that her leg had to be amputated before it turned septic.

The attack on Chandni came a little more than a year after a similar incident in which a local landlord in Sindh’s Sanghar district allegedly chopped off a camel’s leg as punishment for daring to venture into his field, according to officials.

Caregivers at CDRS Benji Project worked extensively to rehabilitate the camel, called ‘Cammie,’ who was later able to walk for the first time on a prosthetic leg arranged from a US-based firm in July.

“Chandni had her jaw surgery and leg amputation yesterday,” Jahangir told Arab News.

“Everything went smoothly but she still has a long road to recovery. We will take it day by day to ensure she gets the best of care and we just need everyone to pray for her. We are also sending her updated X-rays and photos to Bionic Pets USA in the hopes of a solution for her leg.”

Dr. Javed Khoso, Dr. Zulfiqar Otho and Dr. Ali Gopang, who performed surgery on Chandni, are now focusing on restoring the camel’s health, according to the Sindh chief minister’s office.

CM Shah has directed officials to continue best possible treatment of Chandni.

“After the camel’s wounds heal, the help of experts should be sought to implant an artificial leg,” the chief minister was quoted as saying.