COLOMBO, Nov 7: Sri Lankan all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya says his team is gradually shedding its image as a side that struggles to win away from home.

"Winning outside is a big thing for Sri Lanka cricket," Jayasuriya said. "Winning even in Pakistan is not easy, but we drew the series and I think it's a big achievement."

Sri Lanka's cricket team returned from Pakistan this week after a drawing its two-match Test series 1-1.

"In the last test match we came back from behind and the match went until last session and into last 10 overs. We gave good fight and came back into the match," Jayasuriya said, describing Sri Lanka's six-wicket loss in final hour.

"In Australia we did well, in Cairns we drew the match. That's how we are improving outside Sri Lanka," he said about two-match series in July which Australia won 1-0.

Jayasuriya (35), scored 424 runs in Pakistan series, included a masterful 253 that helped Sri Lanka win first Test by 201 runs at Faisalabad.

His 107 in second innings of second Test at Karachi, when the visitors were trailing by 270 runs in first innings, laid platform for a recovery which later crumbled. He attributed his success in the series to his knack of building on good starts.

"If I get in I always try and get a big hundred that's where the team benefited," he added.-Agencies