Jayawardene keen for final flourish

Mahela Jayawardene made a double century in the first Test match against Pakistan

Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene is bidding to end his time as captain on a high note with victory against Pakistan in the second Test in Lahore, which starts tomorrow.

For Jayawardene, one of two Sri Lanka batsmen to hit a double century in the first Test, it will be an emotional occasion as he leads his side for the final time.

The 31-year-old, who first led the team in 2006 when Marvan Atapattu was injured, has decided to relinquish the reins to give the new man time to build for the 2011 World Cup.

“It has been an honour leading Sri Lanka and like every captain and player you have the good moments and bad moments," Jayawardene, who has played 101 Tests and 299 one-day internationals, said.

"I took a calculated cricketing decision. We have some players with leadership qualities. I think it is time they got a chance and I just want to be there to support and help them implement their plans.

"I hope to be a better cricketer after leaving the captaincy."

Turning to the second Test against Pakistan, he added: "We have a job to finish.

“We won the one-day series here last month and an away Test series win is always good for the team."

While Jayawardene is eyeing a last win before giving up control of his team, the rest of the cricketing world will be hoping for something resembling a contest in the second Test.

Younus Khan was on the verge of surpassing Pakistan's Test batting record, but fell 24 runs short

The first Test was a drab affair, little more than a run fest as the two attacks combined to take just 18 wickets over the five days’ play in Karachi.

Indeed, the only interest for much of the second half of the Test was whether or not Pakistan skipper Younus Khan, in his first match since being handed the captaincy, would register his nation’s highest ever Test innings.

As it was he fell for 313, some 24 short of Hanif Mohammad's 337, set in 1958 against West Indies in Barbados, but it was enough to propel him to the top of the ICC Test batting rankings.

The pitch at the Gaddafi Stadium is expected to offer more assistance to the quicks.

Pakistan have a wealth of options to choose from with the same squad of 15 players retained from the first Test but pacemen Mohammad Talha and Sohail Khan are the players most likely to be given an opportunity.

"We will try to win this Test match," said Pakistan coach Intikhab Alam .

"The comeback in the last match showed we have a lot of character and courage, especially the way the captain batted.

“There was a plan that was well executed and every player took up the responsibility. It was a great achievement and towards the finish, we took five wickets in the second innings on the flat track.

"The credit goes to all the players, especially Younus. His triple hundred was a fantastic performance."