Mahela Jayawardene

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This guy is a gentleman to the bone. I am impressed by his professional approach to the game and performance in the recent games.

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Pakistan deserved to win ODI series, says Jayawardene

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene says he thought Pakistan played “really well” in the first two one-dayers and deserved to win the series 2-1 in Abu Dhabi.

Having just played a dramatic World Cup final less than a month ago, fatigue was other opponent the Island nation were up against but Jayawardene insisted: “We were tired but it wasn’t an excuse.

“We were trying our best to give everything left in our tanks. Everyone wanted to work hard and be professional about it. We wanted to finish well and that’s why we were disappointed at the way we played in our first two games where all our batting, bowling and fielding were all not up to standard,” Jayawardene said.

He paid outgoing coach Tom Moody a fitting tribute after they beat Pakistan in final ODI at Sheikh Zayed Stadium. “We have improved a lot as a team and that is sentiment for Tom’s hard work. We wish him all the very best for his future,” he expressed.

“It was very important to appreciate work Moody has done over these two years. This is the way we have been playing cricket. We are happy to do that but disappointed to have lost the series against Pakistan,” he explained.

Jayawardene had hoped to give their coach a victorious send off but a resurgent Pakistan had other ideas as they clinched the series with back-to-back wins in the first two matches.

“It was important not just for me but for the whole team as Tom worked really hard with us even though the whole squad he has worked with was not in Abu Dhabi.

“But I thought boys showed lots of character to come back and win the final ODI whoever the opposition fielded,” he said referring to five changes Pakistan made in the last match.

Sri Lanka were the third subcontinent side that tried but failed to halt Aussie juggernaut after Pakistan and India’s attempts in 1999 and 2003 World Cups respectively but the gap can be bridged according to the middle-order batsman.

“Australia are playing really good cricket but it’s all about us working hard. The subcontinent has some really good talented players. The most important thing is to compete in different conditions especially away from home,” Jayawardene said.