JAIPUR, Oct 16: Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said Monday that Pakistan would not be easy to beat even in the absence of key pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif in a Champions Trophy match here.

“I do not think their absence will make any difference and we are not taking them lightly. When teams have such problems they come hard at you,” Jayawardene said on the eve of his team's Group B clash with Pakistan.

Asif and Shoaib returned home on Monday night after testing positive for drugs.

Shoaib is his country's premier fast bowler, having taken 165 wickets in 42 Tests and 208 in 133 One-day Internationals.

“It is disappointing, but that is something the Pakistani cricket team and officials have to deal with. We are looking forward to the challenge,” said the Sri Lankan captain.

“When teams have these kinds of problems they come hard at you. We have played Pakistan quite a few times to realise that. The match is as important for us as any other game.”

Left-handed Sri Lankan opener Upul Tharanga has been in good form, having slammed two centuries in three matches. Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara and Jayawardene are also capable of testing rival bowlers.

Pakistan captain Younis Khan said he was confident of an impressive performance from his side despite missing Shoaib and Asif.

Teams (from):

SRI LANKA: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara, Sanath Jayasuriya, Marvan Atapattu, Upul Tharanga, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Ruchira Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga, Malinga Bandara, Muttiah Muralitharan.