Doping incident unfortunate but won't make any difference for Lanka

Jaipur, Oct 16 (UNI) Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene and coach Tom Moody today described the doping incident involving Pakistani pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif as unfortunate but said ''It will not make any difference to our preprations.'' Sri Lanka faces Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy match here tomorrow and coach Tom Moody was very forthright in his condemnation of doping saying, ''In any sports, drugs are just not welcome.

There is more that will come out of this issue.'' ''It is unfortunate for cricket because those (Shoaib and Asif) are two very good cricketers. No sports will like to see drugs being used,'' he told mediapersons here this afternoon.

He disclosed that the Sri Lankan players did not go through any drug test before coming here for Champions Trophy.

Moody said despite the absence of Shoaib and Asif, Pakistan is a very good side for they have good batsmen and some fine bowlers.

About the pitch, the coach said, ''The wicket has variable pace and bounce. We will have to adjust our game accordingly. And if we are lucky, the pitch will play good for us.'' Skipper Mahela Jayawardane was of the view that the doping scandal should not overtake cricket.

''We are not taking things lightly. Pakistan is a strong side.

Usually whenever a team has such problems they find another gear. In the past, we have learnt that they have this tremendous ability to hit back and there are some very good individual players in their ranks who can change the course of a game.'' He also rued that Shoaib Akhtar won't play tomorrow.

''We were looking forward to play against him this time for he was injured last time,'' he said.

''However, we have the advantage of knowing the conditions and our team has also developed,'' the Lankan skipper said.

''We have learnt from our previous tour of India. We also played here, so we are well aware of the conditions but that does not mean that we are underestimating Pakistan -- that we will do on our own peril,'' he added.

Jayawardene was also happy with Sri Lanka's show in the qualification matches.

''Playing in the qualifying round was advantageous. We have played three matches under different conditions and that should help us in this tournament,'' he said and added, ''I hope tomorrow we will click in all departments.'' ''The players are in good nick and I think we are getting into the groove. But it is going to be a tough tournament'' he added.

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