Dav Whatmore looks back on Sharjah

Sri Lanka may have lost in the final in Sharjah but coach Dav Whatmore is far from downbeat, believing that the team was doing the basics well.

"Unfortunately we could not win it, but I was pleased by the fact that the team was functioning well as a unit," he said. "I thought the bowling was generally disciplined and the batsmen were getting runs."

Sri Lanka were gunning for their third successive Sharjah title but were defeated by five-wickets by a resurgent Pakistan side. It was first time in 18 months that they had slipped up in triangular tournament since Pakistan beat them in the Asia Cup in May 2000.

"We can't win every final," said Whatmore, mirroring the sentiments of captain Sanath Jayasuriya. "Nevertheless, we could have put more pressure on them if we had been tougher when we batted."

Looking back Whatmore believes the turning point may have been their final group game when, against the odds, Pakistan chased a large Sri Lankan score thanks to centuries from Naveed Latif and Inzamann-ul-Haq.

"To score 270 in that match, and for them to lose only three wickets chasing it, was certainly hard to take," he admitted. "We dropped a couple of chances and didn't field particularly well."

"The win gave them confidence and they might have got the feeling that the momentum had turned their way.

"I am not overly concerned by our loss though. One of our objectives is to win the final, but we did achieve other objectives set.

"We were playing the kind of one-day cricket that wins you one-day games. The basic principles were adhered to well and I was generally pleased."

Sri Lanka blooded two young fast bowlers in the tournament, Charitha Buddhika Fernando and Prabath Nissanka, and when Dilhara Fernando was ruled because of a stress fracture in his back, they were forced to burden additional responsibility.

"The two youngsters did a pretty good job," Whatmore said. "Charitha was more consistent. His pace was deceptive, his variation was good and, most of all, I was impressed by how he seemed to be `in control.' He looked comfortable under the pressure."

"We saw enough of Nissanka to know that he can be an asset. He now needs to learn the mental side of fast bowling and a work a bit on his run-up. We need to manage him well during the next 12 months.

"The two youngsters were well led by Chaminda Vaas, who played the role of senior pro well, showing great economy and leadership."

Whatmore was happy to see Russel Arnold back in the runs: "Russel hardly put a foot wrong throughout the tournament. Mahela (Jayawardene) was also exceptional."