PCB XI meet Sri Lankans in three-dayer today

Islamabad, Feb 20: Sri Lankan skipper Sanath Jayasuriya said here on Sunday his ambition is to derive hundred per cent performance from each member of his side and the one-day clean sweep over Pakistan has further fuelled the aspirations to play hard and positive cricket.

Talking to Dawn the left-handed assiduous opener maintained that after making clean sweep of the series he wants his team to go in only one direction and that is to yield success. "I am satisfied with the way we have batted, bowled and fielded, but the good work needs to continue," he said.

The tourists take on Pakistan Cricket Board XI in the a three-day game starting tomorrow (Monday) at the KRL Cricket Stadium. The start of the match is certain to be delayed due to overcast conditions and drizzle on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is set to give Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva a warm-up game before the experienced duo take up guard for the opening Test of the series, starting at Rawalpindi on Feb 26.

Jayasuriya said that the duo provide the required experience and depth needed to strengthen the batting. Ranatunga and de Silva arrived at Rawalpindi on an evening PIA flight.

Three one-day squad cricketers, spinner Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, batsmen Chamara Silva and Indika de Saram have already left for Sri Lanka.

For tourists the scheduled net practice on Sunday was cancelled due to rain.

The tourists will announce their playing eleven on the morning of the game. A clear forecast has been given for Monday, However, according to the grounds men the rain so far will delay the start of the match till lunch at least. Till the filing of this report there was no break in the heavy overcast conditions.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced its playing eleven led by wicket-keeper Rashid Latif. Shafiq Ahmed, leg spinner from WAPDA, who was a last minute inclusion as the 15th member also made it in the final team. The team includes two pacers, Mohammad Akram and Irfan Fazil and two spinners Shoaib Malik and Shafiq Ahmed. The batting slots are filled by Naveed Qureshi, Wajahatullah Wasti, Taufiq Umer, Younis Khan, Faisal Iqbal, Bazid Khan and Rashid Latif.

Noumanullah, Taimoor Khan, Zahid Saeed and Salman Shah were not picked.

Z. I Pasha and Said Shah are the two umpires for the game.

KRL's New Pavilion: Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya will inaugurate the new pavilion at Khan Research Laboratory (KRL) Cricket Stadium on the morning of the game tomorrow.

The new pavilion offers enclosures for teams, media and guests. With the addition of the block the overall seating capacity at the stadium has been enhanced to 5,000. Separate enclosures are also been planned for KRL staff and college.

All arrangements to hold the match in proper manner have been completed by the KRL management. The KRL cricket stadium is an example of Dr Abdul Qadir Khan's passion for the game. The overall shape of the stadium has been drastically improved by the continuous input of funds and energy by the renowned nuclear scientist. The stadium has been a venue of a number of side games featuring visiting teams. The previous visitors from the West Indies and Australia had termed the venue an excellent cricket facility.