Cricket; Resurgent Pakistan eye Sri Lanka scalp

COLOMBO: Pakistan are hoping to build on their impressive record over the past year when they take the field during the full tour of Sri Lanka starting later this week. "The task here is to win, but the longer goal is to take Pakistan high up in the rankings in all three formats," Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore said at the series launch in Colombo on Monday night. "It's a simple statement, but it requires a lot of work," he said ahead of the seven-week tour which comprises three Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games. The talented but often unpredictable national team have shown consistent winning form over the last 12 months despite being unable to play at home due to security concerns. Pakistan have won seven of their last nine Test matches, including a 3-0 whitewash of top-ranked England in the United Arab Emirates earlier this year. Their record in limited-overs cricket has been equally impressive, winning 16 of their last 22 one-day games, topped by the Asia Cup title triumph in Bangladesh in March. The two Twenty20 games in southern Hambantota on Friday and Sunday provide both teams with a useful build-up for the World Twenty20 tournament to be held in Sri Lanka in September-October.