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Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, 2007

Sri Lankan officials at odds over Abu Dhabi series

May 25, 2007

'I have never heard of a cricket match being played in 45 degrees Celsius anywhere in the world' - Ashantha De Mel © Getty Images

Sri Lanka's senior cricket officials were at odds Friday over the national team's participation in a recent one-day series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. While chairman of selectors Ashantha De Mel described the last week's series as ill-timed, Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Duleep Mendis said it had been confirmed much in advance.

"I have never heard of a cricket match being played in 45 degrees Celsius anywhere in the world," said De Mel. "It is absolutely ridiculous. The board must look at the comforts of players rather than just going after money, money and more money."

Sri Lanka Cricket received 750,000 dollars for taking part in the Abu Dhabi series. Sri Lanka, who finished runners-up to Australia in the World Cup in the West Indies last month, left for the capital of the United Arab Emirates two weeks after returning home from the Caribbean.

De Mel, who is close to the government, was critical of the series coming so near to the World Cup campaign. But Mendis said the series was confirmed in the midst of the World Cup and the chairman of selectors was made aware of it. "Would Mr De Mel have expressed the same sentiments had we won the Abu Dhabi series?" asked Mendis.

Sri Lanka, who were without key players Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Kumar Sangakkara, lost the three-match series 2-1 against Pakistan.Mahela Jayawardene said on Thursday that the series was used to try out youngsters and they had performed creditably despite the defeat.

© AFP