Sri Lanka-Pakistan ready for tournament opener

It's the start of greatest sporting event in Sri Lanka's history. We've been promised Kandyan dancers, colourful flag bearers, rock bands and nimble acrobats. Prime minister Ranil Wickramasinghe is gracing the occasion as chief guest and thousands will flock through the turnstiles. By right it should be a triumph for Sri Lanka, but Sanath Jayasuriya's side will be only too aware that a Pakistan victory will quickly sour the mood of the nation.

The format of this 12-team tournament may have changed but, barring an early monsoon, it remains a virtual knockout. Should Sri Lanka lose on Thursday night at Premadasa International Stadium they will not qualify for the semi-final, missing out on a chance to win a portion of the USD 1.15 million prize money.

Waqar Younis hopes the high expectation will weigh heavily on the Sri Lankan players' shoulders: "They have also been playing some very good cricket at the moment but I think, as hosts, they will be under the most pressure in the opening game of the tournament."

Jayasuriya, though, who has recovered from his dislocated shoulder and will play as a batsman only, claimed that his team were looking forward to playing in front of a capacity home crowd. "We don't feel under any pressure home or away," he claimed. "The morale is very good after Morocco. The boys are confident and everyone is getting behind us."

"We are treating this game as a final," he added. "Every department has to click. With the knockout format it's a case of who plays best on the day and we have to make sure we produce a brilliant all-round performance against Pakistan, who we play so often that we know inside out."

Coach Dav Whatomore was delighted by Jayasuriya's remarkable rehabilitation: "He's very important to the team. His ability to score quick runs cannot be substituted - it's a hell of an advantage."

Not only will they be reassured by Jayasuriya participation, but they will take comfort from the fact they are playing at Premadasa, a notoriously slow pitch perfectly suited to the host's spin-based attack - Sri Lanka have won 30 of the 42 matches they have played at the venue.

Although the square has been primed for months, Whatmore expects few surprises: "It looks like a typical Premadasa pitch to me. It's going to be difficult for the bowlers." The toss he claims will be of little significance, but the side winning is almost certain to bat first.

The Sri Lankan selectors have picked the same team that won the Morocco Cup final. They would have been discussion about recalling off-spinner Kumar Dharmasena in place of the third seamer but newcomer Pulasthi Gunaratne has performed well under pressure, especially in the latter overs when Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando can be expensive.

Pakistan, meanwhile, are hoping that they can recover the blistering form that saw them demolish the Australians in June. "We are starting afresh," said Waqar. " We started to play better during the last match of the tournament in Kenya and we now have to try to maintain that form here."

But there are problems. Firstly, the form of veteran fast bowler Wasim Akram, who struggled with his direction during the tri-series at Nairobi. And, secondly, there is the dilemma over the best opening combination with both Imran Nazir and Saaed Anwaar not at their best. On the slow-paced surface expected, however, Pakistan will probably risk opening the innings with Shahid Alfridi.

Barring one of his infamous niggles, Shoaib Akhtar will be the star entertainment with the ball, although he claims that he will trade speed for control in the interests of the side: "I'll still be fast and furious but my main aim is to take wickets for the Pakistan."

Tomorrow's winner, assuming both teams win against Holland, will play New Zealand or Australia in the semi-final on Sept 25.

Sri Lanka:

Sanath Jayasuriya (Capt), Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jaywardene, Russel Arnold, Aravinda de Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Hasantha Fernando, Chaminda Vaas, Kumar Dharmasena, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Pulasthi Gunaratne

Pakistan:

Waqar Younis (Capt), Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Imran Nazir, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Sami, Rashid Latif, Saeed Anwar, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Alfridi, Wasim Akram, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Shoaib Akhtar