SL batsmen lacking confidence - Atapattu

Marvan Atapattu, Sri Lanka's batting coach, has said his team's batsmen have been lacking in confidence on the tour of the UAE. Sri Lanka were beaten 0-1 in the Tests and were skittled out for 131 in the first ODI in Dubai.

"I really think it is nothing to do with the technique and application but its about the confidence which they are lacking," Atapattu said. "We have played so much cricket and if it happens at a stretch then it's important you get out of it. When you get out for low scores, when you are not doing well as a batting unit, then it's a matter of confidence."

The tracks have been quite flat for the bulk of the tour so far and Sri Lanka's batting, barring Kumar Sangakkara, has been below-par. "You cannot justify (failures) after looking at the personalities in the dressing room, its just that they come out thinking that its a brand new game and we are not continuing what we did on Friday or maybe two months ago," Atapattu said.

Atapattu, a former Sri Lanka opener, praised the Pakistan team, saying it's among the best he's seen from the country in the recent past. "They looked very fresh from the start and they are a very good side, having lots of allrounders and have options. This Pakistan side is one of the best I have seen in the recent past having played against their best teams in my days."

He also complimented Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain. "Misbah is a very cool and calm character and what I saw in the Tests was very impressive, he handles things well and is somewhat like [Arjuna] Ranatunga and he has the patience to wait until he achieves what he wants to."

The teams play five ODIs in all. The second one takes place in Dubai on November 14.