Special strategy to tackle Mendis, says Malik

Karachi, Jan.18 (ANI): Pakistan is fully prepared and raring to face Sri Lanka in the upcoming series, Captain Shoaib Malik has said.

Malik said the team has a definite strategy in place for the islanders for the nextthree-match One-day tournament commencing next week.

Commenting on the world-class spin duo of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis, he said that his squad is fully ready to tackle the Lanka bowlers, and they have a comprehensive strategy to combat Mendis's mysterious 'carrom ball.'

"We have faced Murali on several occasions in the past and most of our batsmen have done well against him," he said adding "Mendis is a relatively new bowler and we have prepared a strategy to tackle him."

He hoped that the series would be exciting one with some close games between the two sides.

"Sri Lanka is one of the best teams in the world and the series is definitely going to be an interesting one,"the Nation quoted Malik, as saying.

He stressed that taking lead in the series will be important as the series has only three games.

"It's a short series and winning the first match is going to be crucial in it," Malik said.

About the services of Shoaib Akhtar, he said : "Akhtar is fully fit and is itching to take the field against Sri Lanka."(ANI)