Former skipper Wasim Akram has said Pakistan face a do-or-die situation in their match against Sri Lanka in Karachi on Sunday.

Speaking to Mobile ESPN, Wasim said: "It is a very important game for both the sides, more so for Pakistan as they are not carrying forward any points in the Super Four stage.

"If Pakistan loses even one of their three matches in this stage, then they will struggle to make it to the finals of the STAR Cricket Asia Cup."

He pointed out that Sri Lanka was already carrying the two points in this stage from their win against Bangladesh and were expected to add two more when they face the same opponent in this stage as well.

"Sri Lanka is a good one-day team, especially on this type of a flat wicket. Their main players are all in form," said the Sultan of Swing.

Akram was unsure of Pakistan's bowling attack in the absence of Umar Gul.

"Pakistan's bowling is struggling and both Sohail Tanvir and Rao Iftikhar Anjum have looked ordinary. I hope they get a replacement for Gul who can pick up wickets with the new ball or with the semi-new ball," he said.

He gave a 50-50 chance to both the teams and predicted a total in excess of 300 for the team batting first adding that the game "will go down to the wire".

Expert cricket analyst and commentator Harsha Bhogle also agreed with Akram's view, especially about the lack of incisive bowling from Pakistan.

"There is talk of playing the specialist spinner and that might put pressure on Fawad Alam's place in the lineup, thereby reducing the batting," Harsha told Mobile ESPN.

He also pointed out that the controversy surrounding Shoaib Malik's captaincy meant there "are signs of discontent" and that Pakistan "will have to fight these demons before they take the field".