There was a belief we could win: Sangakkara by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	KC Sangakkara
Event:	Pakistan in Sri Lanka 2009

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DateLine: 11th August 2009

 

Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara is hoping his players can carry forward their self-belief into the one-off T20 against Pakistan.

 

Sangakkara, led Sri Lanka to the final of the World Twenty20 in England and after the defeat followed up with victories in the Test and one-day series at home against Pakistan.

 

These wins were Sri Lanka's first ever dual triumph over Pakistan at home and Sangakkara attributed the success to a new-found belief his players have in themselves.

 

"All along, we have shown great perseverance and patience and have competed every step of the way," Sangakkara said.

 

"At the end of the day, you have got to trust each other in the team because that is why you are there as a team.

 

"You've got to trust the guy next to you who can do the best job he can for the side.

 

"Everyone has believed that we could win and that's one of the changes I've seen in the side," he said.

 

Sangakkara though said that the side still has to improve on a lot many areas and that is why they experimented with the line-up as they are aiming to build a strong team in time for the 2011 World Cup.

 

"There are several areas in which we need to improve, such as getting partnerships in the middle and getting off to a good start.

 

"The best thing about our team is that the guys learn.

 

"In the time before the World Cup we've got to keep the core solid and give as much opportunity as we can to new people so that they can settle and become part of the side." Sri Lanka have already begun to put that policy into practice by calling up 23-year-old top-order batsman Mahela Udawatte for the Twenty20 game.