Karachi, Jan. 16 : As Pakistan prepares to host Sri Lanka in a much needed one-day international series, coach Intikhab Alam has said that his side will offer a tough fight to the islanders, and hoped that it continues the winning streak from where it left in the last series against the West Indies.

Alam said that it was very important for Pakistan to win the home series after it swept the three match series against West Indies, 3-0, in November last year.

"It is also important for us to win the series after having done well against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi," The News quoted Alam, as saying.

He asked the Shoaib Malik led squad to play like a cohesive unit, and ensure that the series is pocketed by the home team.

"I expect them to gel like a well-oiled unit against Mahela Jayawardene's men," he said.

Expressing concern about Sri Lanka's world class spin attack of Muttiah Muralitharan, and Ajantha Mendis, Alam said that he has some effective strategy in place to tackle the threat of the spin duo.

"We know what their (Sri Lanka's) strong points are and know how to tackle them," he said.

Mendis with his mystery `carrom ball' had single handedly dashed India's hopes of winning the Asia Cup, when he last toured Pakistan during the championship in July last year.

Alam added that the series of tour cancellations has deprived the team of some world-class match practice, but the with successful hosting of the Lanka series, Pakistan will be sending a message to teams across the world that it is safe to play in Pakistan.

"The best thing for us is that (international) cricket is about to resume in Pakistan with this series," he said. (ANI)