Mendis backs Sri Lanka's balance ahead of Pakistan Test

Asked about the possibility of a green pitch in Rawalpindi, Mendis backed his batting line-up to adapt to the conditions, pointing to the experience of senior players Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva. "I think batters have to manage their skills and preparation well.

I know we have a very good batting line-up. I have very senior players, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, myself and a couple of other guys.”"Everyone knows how to play on green wickets. We played really well in England too.

I have no doubt about my batting line-up. "Mendis said Test cricket presented a different challenge from the shorter formats and admitted he was particularly pleased to lead Sri Lanka in the longest format. "Honestly, I think Test cricket is very different from one-day and T20 cricket.

I think everyone mostly likes to play Test cricket. I am also very happy to be captain in Test cricket,” he said. "Personally, I think we have now been in Pakistan for more than a month.

Staying in rooms for one month is not easy. Sometimes we stay in the hotel, go to practice and that's it. Maybe we go shopping for a few days.”"I think it is a little difficult to stay in a hotel for a month.

We do things in the team room, play games and pursue some individual activities.”"Overall, we are on a very good path. When I come into Test cricket, I think we have to focus on the Test game.

It is not easy to play Test cricket, just as it is not easy when we go to other countries.”"I think Pakistan have provided a very good wicket. We have a clear plan for how to approach the next game,” Mendis said.

The Sri Lankan skipper also expressed confidence in his bowling attack, saying the team's recent performances on overseas tours had strengthened his belief in the unit. "I think we have a very good balance in both the bowling and batting departments.

We have done really well with the ball on our last couple of tours. The same applies to one-day cricket. Our fast-bowling attack has been doing very well.

I have no doubts about my team.”"We have a very experienced senior bowling unit. These players have played many first-class and international matches. The same goes for our batting line-up.

Everyone is ready for tomorrow's game. "Mendis also praised the Pakistan Cricket Board for its arrangements and said the Sri Lankan squad had been comfortable during its extended stay in the country. "Security-wise, everybody is very happy.

We normally eat spicy food, and it is the same in Sri Lanka and Pakistan. I think everyone is very happy to stay in Pakistan,” he said.