Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas minced no words in saying that his team is way past the era of ‘transformation’ and it is time to deliver as the team braces to meet Pakistan in the first Test at the Shaikh Zayed Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

“We are probably in an era where we are sick and tired of talking about transformation. Sick and tired about talking it is a learning period and it is time to go out and preform and that is the challenge,” said Pothas after putting his wards through the drills yesterday.

“We are going to meet a world class team and so we have to go out there and execute our game. We have to move forward and play every single game to win and see how we do at the end of every single day,” added Pothas, whose team comes into the tournament at the back of a humiliating series whitewash at home against India.

Sri Lanka lost nine matches in a row in all formats and to add to their woes was the allegation of corruption which saw ICC launch a probe. Despite the turmoil, Pothas was of the view that the setback has done very minimal harm to the team’s confidence.

“I think we take every day as it comes. India are at the top of their powers. They are 3-0 against Australia now and have whitewashed England at home. They are a very strong side and you have to put things into that prospective. We also had some injuries to senior guys but it is done and is the thing of the past now,” said Pothas, adding that the ICC enquiry are events outside his limits and he is no position to make comments on the letter sent by the players to the Sri Lankan Cricket.

“These events will not deter us from doing our job. The good thing for me is that the mood within these guys is fantastic,” revealed Pothas, who was confident that the two uncapped batsmen Sadeera Samarawickrama and Roshen Silva can deliver at the big stage. Twenty-two-year-old Samarawickrama has notched up six first class 100s and has a first class average of 47 while Silva averages 48.

“Samarawickrana is a top order batsman and we are very fortunate that we can use him in that regard. The selectors have said that we can use the players in the position they have been picked for and he has been picked to cover the top three. I would imagine that’s what the selectors would do,” said Pothas, adding that Silva would be an ideal replacement for the injured all-rounder Angelo Mathews.

“Roshen has come into the side at the back of runs in the domestic competition. We are making a mark as in if you score runs in the domestic circuit, you will get a chance to play for the national team.

“His record is second only to Sanga (Kumar Sangakkara) and he is in great form at the moment and hopefully he can get some runs for us,” said Pothas.