Skipper hails team’s spirit

Dubai – Skipper Dinesh Chandimal praised the fighting spirit and ability to learn from mistakes which lifted his players to a series whitewash over Pakistan yesterday.

Barely two months ago the Sri Lankan team was routed 3-0 at home by the world’s No 1 Test team India, but Chandimal said his players and management switched gears both on and off the field.

“We are over the moon,” said Chandimal who won his first series as captain. “Those were tough times for everyone but we learn a lot of things from that India series as a team and as individuals.”

“The main thing is our attitude and it makes lot of difference so everyone put their heart and soul in the practices, so when they come to the match they did well.”

Pakistan were in with a chance of an upset victory when they resumed at 198/5 with Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed knitting a fighting sixth wicket stand, needing a further 119 runs.

But off-spinner Dilruwan Perera (above) broke the 173-run stand by dismissing Ahmed for 68, while Shafiq fell for 112, ending Pakistan’s innings at 248 for a 68run victory.

The defeat is Pakistan’s first in ten series in United Arab Emirates, their adopted home since 2009 terror attacks on the Sri Lankan team, which suspended international cricket back home.

The defeat allowed Sri Lanka to replace Pakistan at No 6 in Test rankings, pushing their opponents to seventh.

Perera finished with 5/98, his fifth five wicket haul, a performance Chandimal said was also praiseworthy. – AFP