After easy win over Kenya, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi looks to repeat splendid show against islanders on Saturday
After easy win over Kenya, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi looks to repeat splendid show against islanders on Saturday
Pakistan, as expected, started off their World Cup campaign with a thumping 205-run victory over minnows Kenya.
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| Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi (centre) celebrates a wicket with teammates against Kenya yesterday. PIC/AFP |
However, skipper Shahid Afridi, who registered the first five-wicket haul of the 10th edition of the World Cup, was already looking forward to their next outing, the big match against hosts Sri Lanka, which will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday.
And the all-rounder started the mind games moments after the end of the Kenya rout.
Ahead of one of the three most vital encounters in Group A, the Pakistan skipper tried his best to pressurise Lasith Malinga, Sri Lanka's pace spearhead. Malinga, who was recovering from a mild back strain, was rested for Sri Lanka's tournament opener against Canada here on Sunday. And Afridi wondered whether the slinger will be fully fit by Saturday. "Malinga is a superb bowler," Afridi said. "But isn't he coming back from injury? So let's see how fit he is and how good is he able to cope up with the conditions."
But more than the unorthodox fast bowler, Afridi reckoned the 12th man (read home crowds) will be the decisive factor.
Despite having returned with a fifer and starting the tournament on an ideal note, Afridi still had some concerns. "Home advantage will be the main factor," Afridi said. "Sri Lanka are a good unit and have been succeeding at home consistently. Even in the first game, the Lankan fast bowlers bowled very well. They are a well-balanced unit. We'll have to put more than 100 per cent effort if we have to beat them."
But if the Pakistan openers put up as timid show on Saturday as they did yesterday, then there will be plenty to worry about. Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shahzad struggled to get the Kenyan new-ball bowlers away, adding just 11 runs before the former was dismissed in the sixth over. Shahzad, on the other hand, appeared to have been bogged down under the pressure of his maiden World Cup outing and perished in the next over.
Afridi realised his team can't get away with such a start, as they did yesterday, every time. "The start is very important, both with the bat and the ball," Afridi said. "It wasn't so easy to bat early on since the ball was dying down a bit. But I think it would be better if our batsmen remain positive and play to their strength."
