Lanka To Build On Win; Pak Look To Miandad

Victorious Sri Lankan aim to build on their success over Pakistan in a closely fought cricket Test series while the hosts bank on their new Mr Fix-it, Javed Miandad.

Sri Lanka lost the final Test in Karachi yesterday after clinching the series with wins in two Tests in a row.

"The overall performance is more than satisfying and now we want to build on that and beat formidable opponents like South Africa," said Sri Lanka coach Dav Whatmore of Australia. After their disastrous World Cup campaign in 1999, Sri Lanka saw a major shake up.

Experienced captain Arjuna Ranatunga was sacked and Sanath Jayasuriya stepped in.

"At that time I had said don't expect miracles overnight and I repeated that when we were coming to Pakistan but I am happy we have won here," Jayasuriya said.

Sri Lanka beat Steve Waugh's Australia 1-0 in the rain-ruined home Test series last August.

Their more significant win was in the tri-nation series with India and world champions Australia.

"The win over Australia confirmed to me that this team has the guts to overcome any opponents and play positively," Jayasuriya said.

Sri Lanka then toured Zimbabwe and beat them 1-0 in the Tests and 4-1 in the limited overs internationals.

"The best thing about this young team is that they are keen to win," said Whatmore, a former Australian test player who has helped Sri Lanka strike it big in international cricket.

Sri Lanka lifted the 1996 world cup and Whatmore was credited with motivating them.

Of the just-ended series in Pakistan, Jayasuriya said: "It was disappointing to lose the last Test but we batted miserably and missed Aravinda de Silva in the middle."

De Silva hit a match-winning 112 in the first Test at Rawalpindi but missed the final Test due to knee problems. Muttiah Muralitharan took 26 wickets in the series.

"When you compare Saqlain Mushtaq of Pakistan with Muralitharan you can analyse where the advantage lies, he turned the whole series for us," Whatmore said.

Pakistan are looking for a makeover after their third home series defeat in succession.

"I am not disappointed, such lean phases come on teams in international cricket but I am sure that the team will pick up in the coming months," new coach Javed Miandad said. Miandad, dubbed Mr Fix-it, motivated the team that looked disjointed in the first two Tests and one-day series.

"The team looked more committed and hungry to win in the last Test," he said.

Pakistan were plagued by off-field management problems and injuries.

"On the whole we were a better side but we did not perform as per the potential," new captain Moin Khan said.

Pakistan missed the services of ace pacer Wasim Akram who could bowl only 13 deliveries in the first Test and sat out the other two.

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar missed the first Test, off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq played one Test while allrounder Azhar Mahmood missed the whole series.

"Injuries have been our main problem and that's why our performance lacked continuity," Khan said.

Pakistan now head to Sharjah for a one-day tri-series with India and South Africa.

They also play West Indies and Zimbabwe in a tri-series in the Caribbean and a Test series against West Indies next month.

"I am sure this team will give the best results in Sharjah and then the West Indies. I am confident it will," Khan said.