The weather is overcast and the crowd is sparse as the Netherlands, who have lost both their opening matches, take on South Africa, who beat West Indies in their only match thus far
Dutch supporters provide plenty of colour at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium
There is support for South Africa too, with these ladies paying homage to one of their heroes, luxuriantly bearded opener Hashim Amla, the number one ranked one-day international batsman
South Africa are asked to bat first but skipper Graeme Smith is comprehensively bowled in the 13th over for 20
But Amla and run machine AB de Villiers both compile fine centuries in a partnership of 221, a third-wicket record for South Africa in World Cup matches
In addition to his usual array of textbook shots De Villiers displays some rather more unorthodox, but equally effective, strokeplay as South Africa amass 351-5 from their allotted 50 overs
Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir, in his first international competition for South Africa having qualified to play for them on 1 January this year, rips through the tail as the spinners dominate
Tahir finishes with 3-19 as the Netherlands are bowled out for 120 in the 35th over and South Africa record another impressive win, this time by 231 runs
Thursday's second match is between Canada and Pakistan in Colombo, where Pakistan win the toss and decide to bat first
The Pakistan innings quickly falters against some spirited bowling and fielding from the Canadians
After being skittled out for a mere 184 in 43 overs Pakistan are all too aware of the need for an inspired bowling performance under a glorious Colombo sunset
Canada make a nervy start and slip to 16-2 in the fifth over, with 16-year-old Nitish Kumar emphatically bowled by Abdul Razzaq
Jimmy Hansra compiles a watchful 43 from 75 balls but falls to Shahid Afridi as the pressure begins to tell on the inexperienced Canadians in search of their finest hour
Afridi takes two wickets in two balls and finishes with 5-23 as his team escape with an unlikely 46-run victory
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