We're not distracted by Tharanga dope controversy: Maharoof

Sri Lankan seamer Farveez Maharoof has insisted that the team is not distracted by reports that batsman Upul Tharanga failed a dope test during the World Cup, saying the players have not even discussed the matter as they are focussed on the ongoing Test series against England.

Tharanga is not part of the squad that is playing England in the Test series but is expected to make it to the ODI side.

The 27-year-old batsman finds himself at the center of a dope controversy after a newspaper reported that he tested positive for a banned substance called Prednisolone which is used to treat asthma.

The International Cricket Council is due to hold an inquiry against the player, who is asthmatic.

Maharoof said the squad remains unaffected by the reports.

"It has not been a distraction at all. We have not spoken about it. As a team we are here to do a job and we are here to have a good Test match and to try to do well and not worry about what is going on outside," Mahroof was quoted as saying by the local media here.

Maharoof praised Tharanga, saying that the batsman, who scored a hundred in the World Cup semi final against England, is a man of few words.

"He (Tharanga) is a nice guy, a quiet guy who has come over to the UK a few times and played well and he did well at the last World Cup," he said.

"He is an established opening batsman in our team and he is a genuine guy," he added.