May 18, 2007	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 01, 1428

KARACHI, May 17: “Pakistan players have worked hard at training camp and are in high spirits to take on Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi’s three-match series from today.” This was stated by chief selector Salahuddin Sallu on Thursday as he assessed Pakistan chances in the series. “Sri Lanka is a strong side and is brimming with confidence after playing the World Cup final,” said Sallu. “But Pakistanis have also regrouped now, have shrugged off off the World Cup loss and are raring to go at the rivals.”

Sallu said though conditions and pitches in the UAE would not suit Pakistan’s strong pace attack comprising Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami, Umar Gul and young Najaf Shah, the national side had enough all-rounders in Afridi, Razzak and skipper Shoaib Malik as well as a good spinner in Abdur Rahman to restrict Jayawardene’s men.

“The main thing is that our batting should come good and I am sure it will since we have talented players in Mohammad Yousuf, Salman Butt, Fawad Alam, Yasir Hameed and Mohammad Hafeez who can be a handful for any side.”