Pakistan in the end were too good for the Netherlands in their opener, but had some top order issues before their middle fired them to a 81-run victory. Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq have struggled for runs in recent times, but will be looking to replicate the batting performance South Africa showed when they opened their tournament against South Africa
The Sri Lankans were punished by a blistering batting display that saw three South Africans make centuries in their first match, but showed grit when chasing a mammoth total so will be able to take positives into their second.
The Lions would do well to put the South African experience behind them - few bowling attacks in the world have quality to withstand that batting lineup once they get going and while Pakistan have class in their lineup, they do not possess the same power as the Proteas.
The two sides met most recently in the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka emerged victorious and booked themselves a place in the final. Form is therefore split, and at World Cups the match at hand is the only one that is important.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed “extreme disappointment” about a delay in the issuing of Indian visas to its country’s journalists and fans for the World Cup - some 50 journalists are still waiting and the Pakistan team only received theirs 36 hours before they flew to India for the tournament.
