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SL eye winning farewell for Jayawardene

August 14, 2014 00:00:00


COLOMBO: Pakistan cricketer Saeed Ajmal (R) and bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed (L) talk during a practice session at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground here Wednesday. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play a second Test match from today (Thursday). — AFP Photo

GALLE, Aug 13 (AFP): Sri Lanka are determined to send former captain Mahela Jayawardene into retirement with a victory in the second and final Test starting Thursday against a fragile Pakistan and a 2-0 series sweep.

Captain Angelo Mathews said emotions were running high in the home team's dressing room before the match at Jayawardene's home ground at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo.

"It is an emotional moment for everyone," Mathews said. "We want to win it for him. He has been the pillar of strength for us for so many years. We will miss him a lot.

"The best thing we can do is try and win the game and give him the best farewell that we could possibly give him."

Jayawardene, 37, who has already retired from Twenty20 internationals, will quit the longer format after the Test, even though he will continue playing in one-day matches till next year's World Cup Down Under.


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