Pakistan begin Asia Cup defence against Sri Lanka


(MENAFN- Kora) Misbah-ul-Haq's side defeated Sri Lanka in a five-match one-day international series at the end of December, which followed a 2-1 victory over South Africa in the same format in November



Pakistan face Sri Lanka in the tournament opener at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium in Fatullah on Tuesday with form on their side



It marks the second time in a row the tournament has taken place in Bangladesh, with Pakistan defeating the hosts by two runs in the 2012 final



This year sees a new addition, with Afghanistan joining Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the biennial tournament



Misbah is confident Pakistan can once again emerge victorious, but warned that there will be no easy games



"The team is in good shape," he said. "Cricket is a confidence game and we have been playing well in the last three to four months. We have to do our basics right to have a good chance



"All teams have ability to win against any side. It will be good competition. You can expect any team can win against any team



"Afghanistan are a new, exciting team. They can do anything on a given day. They are not experienced, but they give their 100 per cent.



With the ICC World Cup set to place in Australia next year, Pakistan will look to mould their squad as the likes of Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Mohammad Talha, Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali all aim to cement a place in the team



Sri Lanka are also in good form ahead of the tournament, after they whitewashed Bangladesh 3-0 in a recent ODI series



Seamer Nuwan Kulasekara remains unavailable for Sri Lanka due to a groin injury, meaning Dhammika Prasad will keep his place in the squad


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