Witchcraft helped us win Test series against Pakistan: Dinesh Chandimal

Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan 2-0 in the Test series but lost 5-0 in the ODI series and also went down in a three-match T20I series.

New Delhi: Sri Lanka's two-match Test series win against Pakistan earlier this month, was because of witchcraft, captain Dinesh Chandimal said on Tuesday.

Chandimal told AFP that he had received a special blessing from a meyni, or sorcerer, ahead of the Test series in the United Arab Emirates.

"I am always ready to accept the blessings of anyone, whether it is a meyni or any clergy," Chandimal said.

"You can have talent, but without this blessing you can't move forward."

His comments came a week after Sri Lanka's sports minister denied ordering the struggling national team to use witchcraft ahead of the Test series.

Dayasiri Jayasekara threatened to sue a sorcerer for claiming that at his request she cast a spell over Pakistan to ensure Sri Lanka's victory.

Several Sri Lankan politicians, business leaders and sports stars put their faith in witchcraft or astrology.

Former president Mahinda Rajapakse took the advice of his personal astrologer before calling an election two years ahead of schedule in January 2015, only to lose badly.

Chandimal said the sorcerer he consulted was the mother of a friend, and he was willing to accept her blessings.

But since the Test victory, Sri Lanka have fared less well.

They lost 5-0 in the ODI series against Pakistan and also went down in a three-match T20I series.

Sri Lankan fans made fun of Chandimal and criticised him on social media.

"You made predictions, tied talismans, held poojas, but finally we were humiliated," posted one social media user.

With AFP inputs