05 October 2004	Tuesday	19 Shaban 1425

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KARACHI, Oct 4: Marvan Atapattu, the Sri Lanka captain, on Monday rated Pakistan as favourites in the ongoing triangular one-day tournament. Addressing a press conference Atapattu said that Pakistan are better placed to lift the trophy.

"Pakistan are always formidable playing at home. They have some very good players. And I'm sure they will come down hard at us in both the one-day series and the two Tests.

Atapattu noted that Sri Lanka's winning of the Asia Cup in August counted for nothing. "We won the Asia Cup on home soil where we defeated two strong teams (India and Pakistan). But that took place in the past. This is a fresh beginning for all of us. "But it will be very nice if we win something on this tour. I don't think that being the Asian champions matter. The boys must work hard at their game to beat both Pakistan and Zimbabwe.

The Sri Lankan captain described ace off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan 'as a great loss' but added that the team was determined to make up for the spin wizard's absence.

"We all miss Muralitharan. Sri Lanka miss him badly. And I'm sure the cricketing public around the world miss him. It's unfortunate that he is not on this trip. But that is the way it has gone. Hopefully he'll back soon. There are others in the team who are good enough to shoulder the responsibility."

However, Atapattu was candid enough to reveal that Sri Lanka's task in the Test series will be very challenging in Muralitharan's enforced absence. "It will be difficult to go into Tests without having the services of someone like Muralitharan. But there are guys in the team, who have rallied around and given their 100 per cent. That has been the key factor behind our good performances in recent past. "For the time being, our foremost priority will be to qualify for the one-day final. To achieve the objective, we will have to maximise our efforts as a team.

Atapattu ruled out the possibility of easy games against Zimbabwe and said that the Africans, despite their domestic troubles, are showing signs of improvement. "We were the first country to play the new-look Zimbabwe side. There is no doubt that they are improving and are a different team than the one we played back in April and May."

When asked whether the Sri Lankans will be working to exploit the weak areas in the Pakistan side, Atapattu was diplomatic in his reply. "I will be more keen on thinking about our strength than worry about Pakistan's weakness. Having said that, we believe they (Pakistan) are a very good side."

Atapattu commented that the outcome of Wednesday's match will largely depend on the pitch. "I understand that because of recent rains in Karachi, the pitch preparations have not gone as planned. But hopefully, everything will be sorted out when we play. Let's hope for an exciting game."

Team manager Brendon Kuruppu expressed his satisfaction at the security arrangements. "We are very happy at what we have seen so far and are pleased with the arrangements. Before coming to Pakistan, we did inquire about security plans.

"I am sure the PCB and the law enforcing people are capable enough to provide all teams foolproof security. So we don't have to worry on those lines." Sri Lanka play their first match of the tri-series when they face Pakistan here at the National Stadium on Wednesday.

After that game, the Sri Lankans meet Zimbabwe in the double-header in Rawalpindi on Oct 9 and 11 before concluding the preliminary round phase with a day/night encounter against Pakistan at Lahore on Oct 14. The day/night final is also slated for Lahore on Oct 16.

The first Test takes place in Faisalabad from Oct 20, followed by the second in Karachi between Oct 28 and Nov 1. The touring Sri Lankan side went through a training session at the PCB Regional Academy ground on Monday. The Pakistan squad, which arrived here on Monday, will have nets on Tuesday morning followed by the Sri Lankans in the afternoon.

The Sri Lankan squad is: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Mahela Jayawardene (vice-captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Tillekeratne Dilshan, Saman Jayantha, Avishka Gunawardene, Farveez Maharoof, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Chandana, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando, Thilina Kandamby, Rangana Herath, Kaushal Lokuarachchi.

Team officials: John Dyson (coach), Brendon Kuruppu (manager), Christopher Clark (physiotherapist).