Pakistan coach believes Bangladesh loss was blessing in disguise

One hand each on the trophy ... but who will be lifting it on Sunday? © ICC

Pakistan coach Mansoor Rana believes his side's defeat to Bangladesh in the group stages of the ICC U/19 Cricket World Cup may have helped them in the pursuit of a second successive tournament triumph.

The defending champions booked their place in Sunday's Super League final against arch-rivals India with a crushing 163-run win over Australia on Friday and Mansoor felt the catalyst for their push for glory came from the earlier set-back against the Tigers.

"When we lost against Bangladesh maybe that was a blessing in disguise," said the coach.

"We had beaten the West Indies 3-1 in a series back home before this tournament and maybe the boys thought it was all going to be easy but that defeat brought them back to the ground.

"Since then they have been working hard and they have performed up to expectations."

That loss against Mushfiqur Rahim's side meant that in order to retain the trophy they won in Bangladesh in 2004 Pakistan had to win four matches in a row.

They have won three of those matches, against New Zealand in their final Group game, Zimbabwe and Australia and according to Mansoor that type of pressure to perform is something that suits the mentality of his players.

"It is the nature of things in Pakistan that we do things when they are required and not before and this has been an example of it," he said.

"The boys have been throwing themselves around for every ball and the win against Australia will give them a lot of confidence for the final."

Pressure is a word that has been bandied around a fair amount in relation to Pakistan in this tournament.

After all, they are bidding to become the first side ever to win the U/19 World Cup twice in succession and the expectation that can create might have the potential to be stifling.

But although he acknowledged it was there, Mansoor was keen to play down the idea of pressure.

"Sometimes pressure can be a negative and sometimes it can be a positive," he said.

"We are the holders so it is always there but when we left home not many people were expecting much from us as we did not have a long camp before the tournament and some of the teams here have been together for 16 or 18 months beforehand.

"I do not think the boys think much about (pressure), they just play and if they win, they win. It is as simple as that."

Now comes the ultimate test for Pakistan in every sense because not only is the Super League final but also a meeting with India, their local rivals and also a team that is unbeaten and the red hot favourites to win the tournament.

"India are a very good unit," said Mansoor. "They have performed excellently and are equipped in all departments.

"But if we play like we did (against Australia) and get a better start then we will give them a good fight, especially if we bat first get to around 240 because we have got the bowlers to win at this level."

And what about the prospect of a match against India, with all the excitement and expectation contests between the two countries create, no matter what level they are played at?

"It is one of those things because of past history and that creates a special atmosphere in the crowds and in the teams," said Mansoor.

"But despite that, it is a game of cricket and it brings the two countries closer together."

The Super League final between India and Pakistan starts at 2.30pm on Sunday at the R.Premadasa Stadium and entry is free.