PAKISTAN V SRI LANKA - ICC WORLD CUP 2011- PREVIEW

Pakistan v Sri Lanka - ICC World Cup 2011- preview 

The unpredictable Pakistan side is gearing up to take on strong Asian rivals and World Cup hot favourites, Sri Lanka, in their second World Cup clash at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday, 26 February.

The two former World Champions have so far played minnows, Canada and Kenya, in their World Cup openers sealing resounding 200-run margin victories in the southern town of Hambantota.

Sri Lanka crushed low-ranked, Canada, with a 210-run defeat after setting an astounding target of 321 runs to win while Pakistan thrashed tournament outsiders, Kenya, by 205 runs at Hambantota after compiling 317 runs from their allotted 50 overs.

On paper, the Pearl Island side has the stronger and more settled line-up and playing in home conditions in front of their own fans would be an added advantage to Sangakkara’s men.

But Pakistan can take heart from the statistics as the Men in Green have won all six previous World Cup games against the Lankans, though the sides have not met since the 1992 World Cup when Pakistan lifted their solitary trophy under Imran Khan’s captaincy.

Pakistan will be confident after Wednesday’s game against Kenya when its middle-order gave a solid performance after a long time with four of the middle-order batsmen scripting half-centuries.

The only cause of concern for Afridi, looking into the game against Kenya, will be the opening duo as both Hafeez and Shehzad flopped against the low-rated Kenyan attack.

"We shouldn't be 100 percent satisfied, but we are ready for the Sri Lanka match", Afridi said. "We will play with more energy", said the Pakistan skipper, who returned with 5 for 16 as Kenya were dismissed for 112.

Lasith Malinga, the spearhead Sri Lanka pacer is expected to start with the new ball after being rested for the tournament opener duo to a minor back pain.

Afridi said that since Malinga is coming back from an injury, his side is looking forward to see how he can adjust to the hot and humid conditions of Colombo.

The weather conditions in Sri Lanka’s capital would not only test the Lankan spearhead pacer but will also be a test for the fitness of Pakistan’s express pacer, Shoaib Akhtar, who is constantly being rated as half-fit by his team management including coach, captain and the team manager.

On a traditionally sticky R Premadasa wicket, spin bowling is expected to prove the deciding factor. As the spinners would have an advantage, the outcome of the match may likely come down to which side’s batsmen deal best with the onslaught of the turning ball.

Sri Lanka holds an edge in the spin department as the side have the likes of legendary spin wizard, Muttiah Muralitharan, the leading wicket taker in both Test and One Day International (ODI) format of the game.

The Sri Lankan batting might also give the Pakistani captain a headache as Mahela Jayawardene scored his country’s fastest century in the World Cup consuming just 80 deliveries while Kumar Sangakkara and opener Tilakaratne Dilshan scored fine half centuries.

The Afridi-led side has the talent to post a descent score against Sri Lanka, but the question is, do they have the mental fortitude to play a calm innings in front of a hostile crowd of 35,000.

Pakistan (probable playing XI): Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal (wkt), Younus Khan,Misbah-ul-Haq, Umar Akmal, Shahid Afridi (capt), Abdul Razzaq, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Shoaib Akhtar.

Sri Lanka (probable playing XI): Kumar Sangakkara (capt and wkt), Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Ajantha Mendis/Rangana Herath, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thilan Samaraweera/Chamara Silva, Upul Tharanga.