August 03  
Mudassar dismisses match-fixing fears for Morocco series 

LAHORE: Pakistan cricket coach Mudassar Nazar has played down the fears of match-fixing at this month's triangular series at Tangier, Morocco which also involve South Africa and Sri Lanka. 

"I don't have any such fears and it is not possible to rig or fix a match nowadays due to the measures taken by ICC and its Anti Corruption Unit," the former Test opener told newsmen in an interview here on Friday. 

He said ICC had granted Tangier the status of an international cricket venue after thorough investigations and inspections of the ground and its facilities and all such propaganda of match-fixing was baseless. 

Pakistani coach said team would not be under pressure by playing at a centre which is new and where it had never played before. "Team wants to play cricket no matter where it is played. I am just concerned about suitable ground, pitch and playing conditions and nothing else," he said. 

Mudassar said team is fully focused and players are united and they have victory as the sole aim in mind. "In view of the previous showing of our team I am optimistic it will win the series in Morocco," he said. 

Mudassar termed the event as a high class one with formidable opponents. He said all the matches will be tough and thrilling. To a question, he said it would be the first time that the team will be playing South Africa since he took over as coach and he would be chalking out a special strategy to overcome the Proteas. "We should not be taking them lightly because any such assumption can hit us back," he said. 

Mudassar pointed out that there was considerable improvement in Pakistan fielding standards but urged the players to put in more hard work to attain top level. 

When asked about the type of pitch in Tangier he said he has no idea about the wicket but added that Pakistan team has the potential to cope with all types of pitches. "We have world's best pace battery and experienced spinners and we are looking for the challenge no matter how the pitch performs."

Mudassar Nazar said tri-nation series in Kenya will also be a tough challenge. "We will be happy to take on Australia and to beat them again to prove our supremacy and I am confident that players will be rising to the occasion."
He rejected the argument that back to back cricket in coming months would hamper the individual performance of the players.

"Now we have a large choice of players and in coming events we can test new players and rest experienced ones to keep them fresh for the World Cup," he said. To a question, he said he would certainly be feeling the absence of speed ace Shoaib Akhtar but said Muhammad Sami would be given the opportunity to perform as the main bowler in Morocco. 

"To be very honest Shoaib himself told me that he is fatigued and needs a break to gear up for the Kenyan series and we have considered his request. We have ample cricket before the World Cup and all the new players will get sufficient experience and exposure up to form a balanced team for the mega event next year".