Sri Lanka look for hat-trick of wins at desert venue

Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe in the opening match of the Sharjah Champions Trophy today with skipper Sanath Jayasuriya hoping to make it a hat-trick of wins at the venue.

The team won this time last year, when they walloped India in the final, scoring 299 and then bowling out India for just 54, and they defeated Pakistan in the ARY Gold Cup in April, despite looking unconvincing in the qualifying round.

"Yes, we have played well in the last couple of tournaments in Sharjah, but then that doesn't guarantee us another victory," said Jayasuriya. "We will have to work hard."

Pakistan are tipped as favourites with a full strength side, but may be rusty having barely played any cricket since returning from their tour of England in June. Their one international outing, against Bangladesh in the Asian Test Championship in August, lasted just three days.

Pakistan have also changed coaches after Richard Pybus turned down an offer to stay with the team. He has been replaced by the previous A team coach Mudassar Nazar on a short-term contract.

Mudassar, who was quoted earlier in the week as saying Pakistan would win the tournament, claims his team is "hungry for success, as ever. The boys kept themselves in good nick by playing on the domestic circuit."

Captain Waqar Younis added: "Both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are very good sides, but I think the Lankans will be the one to beat."

Zimbabwe are clear outsiders after five straight losses against an inexperienced England side left them with 12 consecutive defeats. The recent news that Heath Streak has stepped down as captain only adds to their woes.

Streak has been replaced by 24-year-old leg-spinner Brian Murphy, a relative novice at international level and a surprise choice as captain.

He is joined by new coach Geoff Marsh, the former Australian coach and opening batsman, who succeeds Carl Rackemann. Murphy, trying to inject some optimism, said: "The strongest point of the team is its willingness to work hard. All of them are keen to sweat it out and want to be a tough side to beat."

As usual, Zimbabwe will rely heavily on Andy Flower's batting, particularly since the out-of-form Alistair Campbell has been dropped. Sri Lanka take on Zimbabwe in the first game on Friday and each side will play each other twice before the final on 4 November.