"Pakistan Vs. Sri Lanka?" Topic

I had very "meaningful" discussion with my friend. We often discuss "what if" scenarios like that. Here is his question:

"Imagine the same number of soldiers from Pakistan had to face the same number of soldiers from Shri Lanka. Unit for unit not the whole of Pakistani army vs the whole of Shri Lankan army. Do not involve the air forced either, pure ground forces vs ground forces . Think carefully before you answer and don't jump into answers too quickly . Who Do you think would win and why?"

Not sure why they'd be fighting each other? They are geographically separated by India. Neither has a navy capable of reaching the other if we could come up with a plausible reason for a conflict?

That said I would observe that while Pakistan has fought a steady series of small campaigns against the tribesmen of the north-west frontier and some action in Kashmir (the Kargil war of 1999) it has been a long time since they have fought a major war against India (1971).

Whereas the Sri Lankan Army has been fighting almost for its very life for a sustained period (1983 – 2009) only recently. They have the recent experience of the hardship, carnage and shock of waging war.

Experience is a very relevant thing in warfare.

Nick

In recent years the Sri Lankans have been fighting a civil war which once again gives them combat experience.

If one of the forces was on their "home turf", I would give them the edge.

Still, any time there are equal forces without any outside factors (air support or artillery), chance often becomes the deciding factor.

I'd pick Pakistan to win by 30 runs. Less in a one day affair.