Sri Lanka has the advantage – Dilshan

ESPN cricinfo: Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan has said that his team have the psychological advantage over Pakistan after salvaging a draw in the first Test when a defeat appeared to be the most likely result.

Sri Lanka trailed Pakistan by 81 runs with just five wickets in hand on the fourth day, but Kumar Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene thwarted the hosts with a 201-run stand.

“I think it’s [the draw] a huge advantage for us,” Dilshan told AFP. “We were well behind in the match and we survived, and since this is a long series we have to come out strongly in each match.”

Sri Lanka were in trouble after being bowled out for 197 in their first innings and Dilshan said the Sri Lanka batsmen have to do a better job in the second Test.

“We were bowled out for under 200 runs and it was very difficult to come back and win the match. We have to come out strongly in the second Test, especially the first innings, we have to put runs on the board so that this young bowling attack has some confidence while bowling. We can’t ask them to bowl with just 200 runs [behind them].”

Dilshan took over as captain from Kumar Sangakkara after the 2011 World Cup and under him Sri Lanka have suffered two 1-0 Test series defeats, away to England and at home to Australia.

His own form has been patchy over the same period, and he admitted it was a concern. “Yes, it’s a worry but I am sure that I can get runs in the middle order and I look forward to that in the second Test, because five-day cricket needs everyone to perform.”

Pakistan let Sri Lanka off the hook in the first Test with a poor performance in the field, dropping six catches in the second innings, but Misbah-ul Haq, the Pakistan captain, said that his team was not deflated by the result.

“Slip catching is all about confidence, just like batting. We are really looking forward to doing a lot of practice, and forget the fielding effort in the first match and just go out for a win. Nobody’s down. The show everybody put up, everyone was focussed, everyone bowling their heart out. We tried everything but in the end you can say luck, or the fielding, you cant do anything about.”

The second Test begins today 26 October in Dubai.