Sri Lanka's captain Sanath Jayasuriya says he is setting his sights on England after clinching the Asian Test title with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Pakistan at Lahore. "Winning the Asian Test Championship is definitely a morale boost for us ahead of our tour of England, and we will do our best to win that series as well." Jayasuriya told reporters. Sri Lanka tour England in May to play their first full three-match series there.

"We had a point to prove before the Asian Championship final," said Jayasuriya, 32. " We had won all our previous eight Tests on home grounds, and I am happy we have won this match." Sri Lanka beat India in the last Test of their home series in September, then hammered Bangladesh in the Asian Championship qualifier, before clean sweeps of West Indies and Zimbabwe in three-match series.

"The boys know what is expected of them in international cricket," said Jayasuriya, "and it's always a team effort and my team is gaining experience with each game they play."

Jayasuriya denied that Muttiah Muralitharan, his star offspinner, had been put off by remarks about his bowling action from former Test stars Bishan Bedi and Michael Holding. "Muralitharan is mentally very strong and such things never distract him."

Jayasuriya led Sri Lanka to a 2-1 series victory in Pakistan in 1999-2000, but lost their return series at home four months later. "We didn't play well when Pakistan beat us on our home grounds," he said. "Here we batted well and bowled well, and I'm happy that Kumar Sangakkara hit a double-hundred and Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan bowled well throughout the match."

Sri Lanka's coach Dav Whatmore laughed when asked if he had a magic stick to guide his side to victory. "Well, I have never seen a magic stick," said Whatmore, who played five Tests for Australia and lifted Sri Lanka to the World Cup title in 1996. "I think the credit goes to the players who do it on the field. But it's nice to record wins, and it's my relationship with the boys that is highlighted after wins."

Pakistan were left disappointed after losing six of their last 14 home Tests. "It's disappointing to lose, but we take it as a game and note some positives from it," said Waqar Younis, who tasted defeat for only the second time in eight Tests since taking over as captain last year.

"A one-off Test is always dangerous to play because you never have a chance to stage a comeback, but I am happy for Inzamam-ul-Haq who was recently struggling with the bat," he said. "We batted, fielded and bowled poorly and were forced on the back foot after being dismissed for a low score in the first innings."

Sri Lanka put Pakistan in on a grassy pitch and dismissed them for just 234 on the first day. Waqar said: "Had we won the toss Sri Lanka could have been in a worse position."

Pakistan's four-pronged pace attack failed to restrict Sri Lanka, who amassed 528 in their first innings. "We didn't bowl at the right spot," said Waqar, who also denied that he had missed Saqlain Mushtaq, the experienced offspinner who was surprisingly overlooked for the match.

Pakistan's coach Mudassar Nazar refused to accept that Pakistan had played weaker opponents before taking on Sri Lanka. "I wouldn't call West Indies weaker opponents," said Mudassar. "It's one of those things and defeat always leave you disappointed. We must go on and prepare for the matches ahead."

Pakistan host New Zealand for a series of two Tests and three one-day games in April and May.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd