DAWN.COM

Today's Paper | October 06, 2024

Published 23 Jan, 2009 12:00am

Jayawardene not thinking of Indian challenge yet

KARACHI, Jan 22: Mahela Jayawardene is still not thinking about home series against India as the Sri Lanka captain said he was focusing on successful finish of the third and final One-day International against Pakistan on Saturday.

Sri Lanka head home to take on India in five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 game from Jan 29 before returning to Pakistan to play two Tests from Feb 17.

Jayawardene, who led his side to a 129 runs rout of Pakistan in the second One-day International on Wednesday, was asked about his team’s chances against India in the coming series.

“Look I don’t think that far ahead. Right now for us this series demands our complete focus and we are looking ahead only as far as the third match and will try to win it and the series,” he said. “India, no doubt, is a very good side and they have done well recently. We played them last year at home and it was a good challenge for us.” Jayawardene pointed out that Sri Lanka had won the Tests against India and lost the ODI rubber narrowly by 2-3.

“So it should be a good series and contest between both sides but we will concentrate on them when we finish here [in Pakistan],” he said.

Sri Lanka had beaten Mahendra Singh Dhoni and company in the Asia Cup final in Karachi last July before India went to the emerald island.

Jayawardene said he was extremely happy with the way his players had bounced back from their defeat in the first one-dayer against Pakistan. “I am happy because the boys showed lot of character and we did everything right on the field. It was a good all round performance from us which is needed to beat a good side like Pakistan,” he added.—Agencies

Read Comments

Indian FM Jaishankar to visit Pakistan on Oct 15 for SCO summit Next Story