Date-stamped : 04 Aug94 - 18:28 Sri Lankan peril lurks for Pakistan, By Anosh Ahamath Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga says his side is waiting to pressure Pakistan when the two teams launch the one-day series here Wednesday. "They are the world champions. They are the ones under pressure. We have nothing to lose. We can only add to theirpressure," said Ranatunga on his side's chances in the three one-day internationals. "Frankly, to have the one-dayers in one go is good. We can then sort out the tests one by one," said the confident Ranatunga. The two teams confront each other in a day-night encounter Wednesday and play two successive limited-over games during the weekend before playing the first of three tests next week. Indeed, the pressure of living up to their world image ap- peared to have affected Pakistan when a second-string Sri Lankan side shocked the champions by two wickets in a warm-up limited overs match here Monday. "It is true they have one of the best sides in the world. But when it comes to one-dayers, we have done pretty well," said Ranatunga. Pakistan know only too well what to expect from an unpredictable Sri Lankan side. On Monday, they discovered that even limb- looseners can turn out to be a rude awakening. "I don't want to take away the credit from them. We played serious cricket. But winning or losing doesn't matter. In one-day cricket anything can happen," said Pakistan manager Inthikab Alam. He said the defeat would not affect his side's performance in the main matches. "As you know we have been very unfortunate with the weather. This is the first full day we had. For a touring side it takes time to adjust to different conditions," Alam said. Rain ruined their first three-day match in southern Matara and also robbed a few hours play in another three-day game in northwestern Kurunegala. If there was one heartening factor in the defeat, it was the resurgence of fast bowler Waqar Younis. The sprightly youngster finally put behind his injury-stricken past and poor form by re- turning the best figures of 3 for 48. That observation certainly does not augur well for Sri Lanka, especially when the other pace ace, Wasim Akram, has already made his mark here. If Akram can overcome a sore back, the swing kings could give Sri Lanka a torrid time. Ranatunga acknowledged the match-winning capabilities of Akram and Younis but was typically defiant. "Big names have never bothered us. If we play our normal game we can handle them well." Pakistan will be hoping one-day specialist Basit Ali regains his fluency after managing only a top-score of 19 in three innings. His top-order colleagues Aamer Sohail, Inzamam and Saeed Anwar have all been among the runs. The tourists can rest assured, because skipper Salim Malik is in fine fettle after scoring consecutive half-centuries. Malik seems to have made Sri Lanka his punch-bag since his test debut century against the islanders in 1981. Ranatunga's main worry is to find a steady pair of opening batsmen. He is handicapped by the absence of star opener Roshan Mahanama due to injury, and three others eyeing the top-order slot have been struggling with the bat. Both sides are expected to pick their teams later Tuesday taking into consideration the slow track at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Yet, their best plans can always evaporate in the present inclement weather. (Thanks : AFP) Contributed by Vicky (VIGNESWA@*umass.edu)