Sri Lanka cricket team has celebrated the 51st birthday of their batting coach Grant Flower, who also remained Pakistan, batting coach for a long time.

The team members gave a birthday party to Grant in a hotel in Pretoria, South Africa where they are currently housing for a series with the Proteas.

It was not a surprise party but Flower was made aware of the celebration a few hours in advance, it is learnt here.

"The players gathered and wished him for the day and cut a cake for him," the team manager and selector on tour, Ashantha De Mel, speaking from the hotel, said.

"It was held in the team room and no big speeches were delivered but the batting coach thanked everyone."

The ICC also wished Flower on its Twitter account and posted a 4.43-minute video of his teammate Mpumelelo Mbangwa reminiscing their Zimbabwe playing days.

In the video, Flower described Zimbabwe's win against Pakistan as his strongest memory.

Flower played 67 Tests and 221 ODIs, scoring over ten thousand runs (3457 in Tests and 6571 in ODIs).

The team may also host a Christmas Party in the same hotel, where they are scheduled to stay for the entire duration of the Test series.