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Series win will be a farewell gift for Jayawardene: Thilan
Sri Lanka Test batsman Thilan Samaraweera said his teammates are gearing up to win the series as a farewell gift for outgoing captain Mahela Jayawardene.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: February 21, 2009 02:30 PM IST
Read Time:2 min
Karachi:
"Mahela has always been a class act. He has scored the most Test centuries as captain and we all want to win this series for him," said Samaraweera, who shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 212 runs with Jayawardene (136).
"The players want to give their 100 per cent and win the series because we want Mahela to go out as captain on a winning note. It is a motivating factor for us," he added.
With Sri Lanka putting up 406 runs on the opening day, Samaraweera felt it was a good toss to win.
"It is a very flat wicket and the weather is also hot. The outfield is also very fast and I think we batted well to take advantage of the toss," he said.
Samaraweera also spared some thought for his rival Pakistan, who are playing a Test matches after a hiatus of 14-months.
"It is always difficult to adjust after so long. I know as a specialist Test player as I am also playing after three months. It can happen. They are playing after 14 months which is lot of time. Technically it is very difficult. It is not easy to readjust to Test cricket," he added.
The 32-year-old right-handed batsman felt dropping Jayawardene twice put paid to Pakistan's woes.
"But it can happen as it was a hot day and when batsmen are playing well. It's not easy when you drop catches on this kind of pitch. It was very hard work for the bowler in these kinds of conditions."
After scoring a brilliant 130 on the opening day of the first Test against Pakistan, Sri Lanka Test batsman Thilan Samaraweera on Saturday said his teammates are gearing up to win the series as a farewell gift for outgoing captain Mahela Jayawardene."Mahela has always been a class act. He has scored the most Test centuries as captain and we all want to win this series for him," said Samaraweera, who shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 212 runs with Jayawardene (136).
"The players want to give their 100 per cent and win the series because we want Mahela to go out as captain on a winning note. It is a motivating factor for us," he added.
With Sri Lanka putting up 406 runs on the opening day, Samaraweera felt it was a good toss to win.
"It is a very flat wicket and the weather is also hot. The outfield is also very fast and I think we batted well to take advantage of the toss," he said.
Samaraweera also spared some thought for his rival Pakistan, who are playing a Test matches after a hiatus of 14-months.
"It is always difficult to adjust after so long. I know as a specialist Test player as I am also playing after three months. It can happen. They are playing after 14 months which is lot of time. Technically it is very difficult. It is not easy to readjust to Test cricket," he added.
The 32-year-old right-handed batsman felt dropping Jayawardene twice put paid to Pakistan's woes.
"But it can happen as it was a hot day and when batsmen are playing well. It's not easy when you drop catches on this kind of pitch. It was very hard work for the bowler in these kinds of conditions."
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