Dilshan asks fans to sing and dance his side to another win

Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan has called on Sri Lanka fans to sing and dance the team to victory at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday when his side faces Pakistan in the third One-Day International (ODI) of their five-match series.

Sri Lanka’s fans were loud and proud in Monday’s second game, cheering Dilshan and his players to a 25-run win at the venue, the side’s first success of the tour and one that leveled matters at 1-1.

Dilshan said he wanted supporters to turn up in numbers on Friday to give the team the same backing.

“After we lost the first game (by eight wickets, last Friday), we still had the crowd come to support us,” he said. “I’m sure even more fans will come on Friday. “It’s a fantastic feeling in the ground - they’re supporting and cheering and we feel it’s like we’re playing a match in Sri Lanka. “It’s fantastic and I’m sure more crowds will come on Friday.”One member of the Sri Lanka team management compared the noise and atmosphere at last Friday’s opening match to the ICC Cricket World Cup final in Mumbai in April, when Sri Lanka lost out to India at the Wankhede Stadium. And with the teams now locked together in the series, there is every chance of a repeat of that great feeling around the ground this week. The series then moves to Sharjah (20 November) and Abu Dhabi (23 November and a Twenty20 International (T20I) on 25 November).

Dilshan’s challenge to the Sri Lanka community in the United Arab Emirates to come and support his side in numbers could well be a rallying cry to Pakistan’s fans to do the same for their team.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has made no secret of the fact that those fans have helped ensure his side also enjoys playing at the state-of-the-art venue on Emirates Road, and he is again looking forward to doing battle with Sri Lanka there on Friday. “The atmosphere, the stadium - it’s really good to play here,” he said.

“Normally you feel the heat playing in the UAE but in this stadium in particular, the way it’s built, it’s really good for the players and you don’t feel that heat. “The atmosphere’s really good with the way the stands are built, everybody loves to play here and it’s a real plus point for our team,” Misbah added.