Sri Lanka arrive in Dhaka (11 March 1999)

11 March 1999

Sri Lanka arrive in Dhaka

Hasan Saeed

DHAKA, Mar 10: A 17-member Sri Lankan team comprising 14 cricketers and three officials arrived here today (Wednesday) in two batches to play the final of the first-ever Asian Test Championship with Pakistan from March 12-16 at the Dhaka National Stadium.

Celebrated middle order batsman Aravinda De Silva will be leading the Sri Lankans in the test final in absence of regular captain Arjuna Ranatunga who is nursing a hamstring injury. Hashan Tillekeratne, who led the Lankans in their clash with Pakistan in Lahore, was made Aravinda's deputy.

The first batch of the Lankan team with 12 cricketers and three officials reached the Dhaka Zia International Airport at about 9:40 am from Lahore by an Emirates flight. Two other team members captain Aravinda De Silva and pacer Chaminda Vaas arrived at the Dhaka airport at about 12:30 pm by Singapore Airlines from Colombo.

Tournament Director and former Sri Lankan captain Duleep Mendis also reached Dhaka in the morning with the Lankan team from Lahore.

Later, in the morning, Sri Lankan team manager Edward Ranjit Fernando told a press briefing that "we reached the final playing our natural game... we'll try our best according to our ability in the final."

About their opponent, he said: "Pakistan is a very competitive side, but we will try to prove our worth."

Replying to a question on the allegation in a section of media that Sri Lanka-Pakistan match in Lahore was not fair, the Lankan manager said: "Our young side had done everything to get into the final. We are not worried about it (the allegation)."

About bonus points in the test championship, Fernando said the concept of bonus points is very good. However, some modifications may be made in future, if necessary.

Responding to another query about the current "poor" form of the Sri Lankan team after last year's England tour, he said: "We are trying to overcome our problems. I hope, we'll do better in the World Cup Cricket in England."

Sri Lankan coach Roy Dias, however, added that participation in the ongoing Asian Test Championship "does hamper our preparation" for the World Cup.

Sri Lankan team: Aravinda De Silva (captain), Hashan Tillekeratne (vice-captain), Russel Arnold, Avishka Gunawardane, Mahela Jayawardena, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Marvan Atapattu, Chaminda Vaas, Pramodaya Wickremasinghe, Upal Chandana, Ruchira Perera, Sajeewa De Silva, Ruwan Kalpage and Chandika Hathurasinghe.

Manager - Edward Ranjit Fernando
Coach - Roy Dias
Physio - Alex Kountouri

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)