Sri Lanka's captain for the Hong Kong Sixes, Chandika Hathurasingha, is undaunted by a star stacked Pakistan side and is confident his young squad can win this weekends tournament.

Pakistan were immediately installed as favourites when they announced a strong team comprising including current all-rounders Wasim Akram, Abdur Razzaq, Shahid Alfridi, Shoaib Malik and Azhar Mahmood.

The 33-year-old Hathurasingha, who has considerable sixes and double wicket experience, points out that six-a-side is an entirely different ball game and upsets are to be expected.

According to Hathurasinga: "Pakistan have a lot of experience and ability, but anything can happen can happen in six-a-side cricket; one bad ball can change the game.

"It's a pressure game and whoever handles the pressure best will have the better chance. You have to concentrate on the moment, making sure you do the right things at the right time. In a way, the players have to be machines."

Sri Lanka are in Pool A and will compete against South Africa, India and Hong Kong. The two top teams will qualify for the semi-finals on the Sunday.

India have included Tamil Nadu all-rounder Robin Singh, discarded left-hander Hemang Badani and left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi. Mohammad Kaif has just been drafted into the squad. South Africa, meanwhile, are a mix of youth and experience and are led by the indefatigable Jonty Rhodes.

"We have a good young side," says the former Sri Lankan all-rounder, now player-coach of Moors Sports Club. "The guys have been playing recently and are in excellent shape. I think we have a pretty good chance."

Sri Lanka have filled their side with bowling all-rounders, leaving room for only two out-an-out top order batsmen: Indika de Saram, who is currently out of favour with the national selectors, and Jevantha Kulatunga, a free scoring middle order batsman.

"I personally feel that spin can play a very big role in sixes cricket," he says. "They can decide where to bowl at the every last moment and I think that leg-spinner Upul Chandana is a key player for us. We also have Malinda (Warnapura) who bowls off-cutters and myself, who can bowl off-breaks too."

The popular two-day tournament, held at Kowloon Cricket Club, has been revived after a four absence. Pakistan were the winners in 1997 and remain favourites for this years event, which starts Saturday (10 November).

© CricInfo