Smarting from their comprehensive drubbing by New Zealand, Pakistan will want to restore their self-confidence with a big win against Zimbabwe in Monday's World Cup Group A match in Kandy.
Pakistan showed uncharacteristic consistency in the tournament, winning their first three matches before Ross Taylor's sensational century snapped their winning streak.
Kamran Akmal's woeful form behind the wicket remains a major worry for the team even though the management has backed the beleaguered stumper to come good.
Umar Akmal's finger injury is also a concern for the side, which otherwise could have asked him to keep wicket instead.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are wary of a Pakistan backlash and while their spinners are capable of restricting most line-ups, their batsmen would face a tough task against a Pakistani attack that includes Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Shahid Afridi.
Both teams will also be concerned with the dark clouds that have hovered above the Pallekele ground all weekend and with rain forecast for Monday, the players might not be able to play out 100 overs.
In Chittagong, a bullish Bangladesh will take on a winless Dutch side in a Group B encounter.
On a high after pulling off an upset against England, Shakib Al Hasan's men are on the hunt for another win that would brighten their quarter-final prospects.
For the Netherlands, their last two group stage matches, against Bangladesh and Ireland (March 18), provide them with their best chance of finishing the tournament with at least one victory.
