Murali takes offence to queries on other CT participants

New Delhi, Oct 2 (UNI) In town to talk about Sri Lanka's prospects for the upcoming Champions Trophy, Muttiah Muralitharan today ran out of patience and almost stormed out of a media interaction when he was fired with volleys about other teams participating in the event starting October 7.

In a media interaction after the team's arrival, the star player insisted that he be asked only about Sri Lanka's prospects and preparations for the tournament. However, when the questions on the chances of other teams did not stop, Murali refused to address the assembled media.

''Please don't ask me about other teams. I would appreciate if you limit your questions to the preparations of the Sri Lankan team,'' Murali had told the gathered media.

However, when the constant questioning on other teams did not stop, the off-spinner just walked off before ICC media and communications manager Brian Murgatroyd intervened and asked the journalists to take Murali's request seriously.

Before this, however, Murali did answer queries on the upcoming ICC event and rated his team's chances as being pretty good.

''We have a good team and I think we have been playing some good cricket over the past one year. Whoever we play against, I am sure we well do well and I believe Sri Lanka have a good chance in the tournament,'' Murali told UNI.

Murali also said playing qualifying matches for the tournament was not an issue for him and he was looking forward to performing well and taking his side into the main draw.

''It is not frustrating to play in the qualifiers. And I am sure we will be able to qualify and play in the main event,'' he said.

Sri Lanka -- along with West Indies, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe -- will be vying for the two qualifiers' berths in the main draw.

An event of the magnitude of Champions Trophy is also about handling pressure, said Murali asserting that his team is good enough to handle the mental burden of playing in the big event.

''How do you handle pressure is the specific thing. I think I am handling pressure pretty well and I am sure our team is also good enough to handle it,'' he said.

When asked whether he would visit his in-laws in Tamil nadu during the hectic event, Murali, who got married last year, said he was not sure if such a trip would be possible due to the crowded schedule.

''Don't know about that because we will be playing a lot of cricket. So I am not sure if I would get a chance to go there,'' he said.

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