Jayasuriya attributes success to team effort

Lahore, Feb 19: Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya termed his team's clean sweep in the three-match one-day series against Pakistan a result of team-work and winning spirit.

In a post-match conference, Jayasuriya said the success was achieved due to collective efforts. He said that extensive preparation was made by the Sri Lankans at home for this series. Jayasuriya added that the convincing win over Pakistan was a great achievement, but it was not all as still more hard work was required to emerge the world's best team.

The skipper remarked that victories in the first two matches at Karachi and Gujranwala were also the result of outstanding fielding, but in Lahore Pakistan lost the match despite showing improved performance in that department.

The Sri Lankan skipper said that the induction of stalwarts, Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva, for the Test series would further strengthen his team.

While replying to a question, Jayasuriya admitted that he was not expecting such results in the one-day series when the team arrived in Pakistan. "We have made our mind for positive cricket during this tour, giving not much importance to win or defeat," the captain said.

He said that the results had also negated the impression that the Sri Lankans were only good chasers instead of setting match-winning totals. Jayasuriya said that he was enjoying the captaincy and all players of his team were happy and cooperating with him.

Saeed not disheartened: Pakistan's captain Saeed Anwar said that he was not disheartened by the result of the series and was determined for turning this team into a winning squad. He said that because of playing in a home series, Pakistan took risks of inducting some new faces in the team. The new players, specially Younis Khan, were talented and with the passage of time they would play a vital roles for the team.

Saeed Anwar said that Pakistan displayed better fielding in today's match but fitness problem with Azhar Mahmood during the match caused to the team. He said that Pakistani batsmen were not coming upto the expectations.

While replying to a question, he said that a combination of old and new players were being called for the training camp being set up at the Qadhafi Stadium for the upcoming Test series.

The three-day training camp would start on Feb 21 (Monday), he added. He said that he was trying his best to achieve good results but added, "I am not a magician to change the scenario in a day".

Later, Intikhab Alam and Saeed Anwar held a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board advisory council to discuss the team's performance in the one-day series and chalk out strategies for the three Tests.