Sri Lanka challenge ahead for unbeaten Pakistan at World Cup
Tuesday 10 October, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
Pakistan will look to build upon their win against Netherlands, while Sri Lanka will look to overcome the setback they received against South Africa in Delhi.
Sri Lanka badly missed the services of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana in that match, and will be hoping that the latter has recovered from his hamstring injyury in time to take on Pakistan in Hyderabad.
Theekshana will be required to keep tabs on a strong Pakistan batting line-up, with skipper Babar Azam sure to be keen to atone for a rare failure first up against the Dutch.
Saud Shakeel shone the brightest in that Netherlands clash, and the powerful left-hander looks set to play a big role in Pakistan's World Cup campaign.
Shaheen Afridi ready to live up to the expectations | CWC23
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha
At The Nets with Pakistan and Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden, a man who knows the Pakistan team well, hangs around training ahead of their clash against Sri Lanka.
The right-arm pacer was at his brilliant best during Pakistan's World Cup opener against the Netherlands as he collected three big wickets that included two scalps in the space of three deliveries.
With fellow quick Naseem Shah sidelined for the tournament due to injury, Pakistan will be relying upon Rauf to partner star pacer Shaheen Afridi in making inroads to opposition batting line-ups.
Pakistan seal comfortable win against Netherlands | Match Highlights | CWC23
Match highlights as Pakistan overcame an early scare to beat Netherlands at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023
The Sri Lanka dynamo looks to be in excellent touch in India, with the right-hander adding to his impressive century against Afghanistan in the warm-up matches by registering a quickfire 76 against South Africa in Delhi.
Mendis smashed eight sixes during that powerful knock and will be the key wicket that Pakistan will be chasing during this clash between the two Asian rivals.
Kusal Mendis fireworks boost Sri Lanka hopes against South Africa | CWC23
Kusal Mendis scored a scintillating 76 from 42 balls to raise Sri Lanka hopes while chasing a huge South Africa target at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023