Sri Lanka look for first World Cup win against Pakistan

Rex Clementine

Colombo, Feb 25 (PTI) Sri Lanka would look to carry ontheir winning momentum from their opening match and seek theirfirst World Cup victory against Pakistan when the two teamsmeet here tomorrow.

The two teams have played six World Cup matches from 1975to 1992 and all of them have been won by Pakistan.

With paceman Lasith Malinga set to return for tomorrow''sGroup A match at the R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka wouldfancy to make amends of their awful record against Pakistan.

Both teams recorded thumping wins against AssociateMembers in their opening games in Hambantota. While Sri Lankawon by a massive 210 runs against Canada, Pakistan beat Kenyaby 205 runs.

"It''s time for us to change that I suppose. If we do thebasic things right, we have a great chance for tomorrow," SriLanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said.

Since 1992, Sri Lanka have won the World Cup (in 1996)and they have become a much better side since then. The lasttime Sri Lanka met Pakistan in an ODI was during the Asia Cupin Dambulla and the hosts had won on that occasion also.

Malinga on that occasion picked up a five wicket haul andhe''s expected to play a key role on tomorrow''s game.

Playing at home conditions and in front of a sell-outcrowd, it would be a perfect setting for Kumar Sangakkara''smen to make amends of their woeful World Cup record againstPakistan.

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced that the reserved ticketswere sold out two months before the game. The non-reservedtickets were put on sale a week before the game and finishedwithin a couple of hours.

Malinga is the only change the Sri Lankans are expectedto do with the fast bowler coming in for either NuwanKulasekara or Thisara Perera.

"He was feeling a bit stiff ahead of the Canada game. Wehave a long World Cup campaign and didn�t want to take a risk.

He�s should be okay for tomorrow once the physio clears him,"Sangakkara said. .