Maverick paceman Shoaib Akhtar on Monday said Pakistan were hurting from the cricket corruption scandal, but his rejuvenated team will take their frustrations out on their World Cup rivals.
Test captain Salman Butt and seamers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer were banned for corruption barely two weeks before the World Cup which depleted Pakistan's bowling options.
But Akhtar said the loss of the trio has helped unite the squad.
"We are a hurt side so we are here to hurt others. It's better that it happened to us because every time a controversy happens it gathers us together and what better situation than before a World Cup," Akhtar said.
Pakistan, rated as dark horses in the most open World Cup in its 36-year history, inflicted a narrow 11-run defeat over co-hosts Sri Lanka in their last match after seeing off Kenya by 205 runs.
Akhtar, 35, admitted he was missing Aamer -- banned for five years -- and Asif -- banned for seven -- but said others have stepped up.
"Obviously without Aamer and Asif we have suffered badly, they were the best with the new ball, it's unfortunate what happened to them. Had they been with us it would have been the most lethal bowling attack," said Akhtar.
"But the way [Umar] Gul and [Abdul] Razzaq have been bowling, the way [Wahab] Riaz is bowling, we can still do a much better job as we have variety in our attack."
Akhtar hoped Pakistan -- who next face Canada in Colombo on March 3 -- will not get complacent after beating Sri Lanka.
