COLOMBO, May 29: Pakistan are hoping to build on their impressive record over the past year when they take the field during the full tour of Sri Lanka starting later this week.

“The task here is to win, but the longer goal is to take Pakistan high up in the rankings in all three formats,” Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore said at the series launch here on Monday night.

“It’s a simple statement, but it requires a lot of work,” he said.

The two Twenty20 games in southern Hambantota on Friday and Sunday provide both teams with a useful build-up for the World Twenty20 to be held in Sri Lanka in September-October.

The Sri Lankans have had an inconsistent year in which they managed just two wins in 14 Tests with six defeats, and lost 21 of their last 35 One-day Internationals.

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene praised Pakistan’s recent record and saw a good challenge ahead for his home team.

“If you take their performances in the last six months, they have performed really well in all three formats,” he said. “To play them in our conditions is a good challenge.”

Australian Whatmore said Pakistan were ready for what would be a tough tour on the field.

“Although Pakistan are unable to play any international matches at home due to the security concerns, they managed to practice together before coming to Sri Lanka,” the coach said. “We had a pretty decent two-week camp before we came here.”

Pakistan’s new Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez said victory over Sri Lanka in all three formats in the United Arab Emirates last year had boosted his team’s morale.“We all know Sri Lanka are always good on their own soil, but we have had good success against them in the UAE,” said Hafeez, who will be vice-captain to Misbah-ul-Haq in the Tests and the one-dayers.

Schedule: June 1: First Twenty20 International (Hambantota, D/N). June 3: Second Twenty20 International (Hambantota, D/N). June 7: First One-day International (Pallekele, D/N). June 9: Second One-day International (Pallekele, D/N). June 13: Third One-day International (RPS, Colombo, D/N). June 16: Fourth One-day International (RPS, Colombo, D/N). June 18: Fifth One-day International (RPS, Colombo, D/N). June 22-26: First Test (Galle). June 30-July 4: Second Test (SSC, Colombo). July 8-12: Third Test (Pallekele).—AFP