Dubai: Sri Lankan skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan wants support from the fans. So intense is his team's battle against Pakistan that he wants all Sri Lankans in the UAE to turn up for today's crucial third one-day match.
"My boys can find more energy if the fans are supporting them. I have been enjoying their support and the papare band which we are used to back home," said Dilshan as George Hettiaratchy, a Sri Lankan supporter, was busy ensuring his band's presence at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
"We are expecting a huge crowd and we want to play good cricket for them," said Dilshan.
"We are taking a lot of positives from our victory in the second match. This match is an important one for both teams because whoever wins can lead the series before going to Sharjah. Both the teams have the chance to win it so we have to play good cricket to win. Everyone in my camp is ready for it," added Dilshan.
"Whether batting or bowling we will have to start well. We are all ready for the challenges. It is a new match for us and we will try and play good cricket," he said.
When reminded of the slowing down of the run rate by their batsmen in the middle overs after their good start in the second match, Dilshan said: "We have discussed this matter and we have decided to rotate the strike in case of any such situation. We have now got the confidence and we are clicking well as a batting group, especially with Mahela [Jayawardene] getting runs and regaining his confidence."
Dilshan has even planned the score needed to win the match. "A score around 240 to 250 will be a good one. I am expecting a good performance from my batsmen," he said and went on to praise his main strike bowler, Lasith Malinga.
"Malinga is a fantastic bowler. I am proud to have one of the world's leading bowlers like Malinga in my team. Every time I give him the ball he tries to get a wicket. He is a fantastic guy to have in the team. He is full of energy on the field and is an asset to have in the team."
Dilshan also went on to praise Dilhara Fernando. "Dilhara is very experienced and he is quick and sharp. Even Thisara Perera bowled really well. All my three quickies are bowling really well. As a bowling unit we are doing very well," he concluded.
