KARACHI: Pakistan are a more unified squad and will be unaffected by the 2010 spot-fixing scandal when they return to England in June for the Champions Trophy, according to captain Misbah-ul-Haq (pictured).
The International Cricket Council banned then-skipper Salman Butt and team mates Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir following the Lord’s test against England after the News of the World tabloid broke the story about spot-fixing in the match.
The trio were also handed jail terms by a London court in 2011 but have now returned to Pakistan after serving their sentences.
“I don’t think the scandal will haunt us and we are now mentally prepared to play in England for the first time since the incident,” Misbah said yesterday.
“It has been three years since the scandal and the players have made a conscious effort to project a positive image of Pakistan cricket with positive results. There is more discipline and unity in the team.”
The 38-year-old said the controversy had damaged the squad’s image around the world.
“We see the Champions Trophy as an ideal opportunity to redeem ourselves in the eyes of our supporters in England because there is a big Asian community there,” Misbah added.
He said the players were now given regular anti-corruption briefings while the Pakistan Cricket Board has indicated it will bring in a special vigilance officer for the Champions Trophy to monitor the movements of the squad.
“We have never won this tournament and the way the board is backing us I think we can surprise a lot of people,” said middle-order batsman Misbah.
Pakistan have been drawn in Champions Trophy Group B along with South Africa, West Indies and India.
Meanwhile, fast-rising Pakistan paceman Junaid Khan said yesterday he was confident that a county stint with Lancashire would help him perform in the June Champions Trophy in England.
The 23-year-old left-armer will spearhead Pakistan’s attack in the absence of injured Umar Gul in the eight-nation event to be held June 6-23. Khan said his 2011 Lancashire stint introduced him to the conditions in England.
“I played for Lancashire and learnt about the conditions in England which are helpful for swing bowling, so that will surely come good when I play in the Champions Trophy,” Khan told reporters at a tune-up camp for Pakistan pacemen.
Legendary Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram is supervising the 10-day Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) camp for 23 bowlers, some of whom currently play for Pakistan.
Khan said tips from Wasim, who introduced him to Lancashire, are a great help.
“Learning is a never-ending process and in this camp Wasim told me how to improve my in-swingers and yorkers which are considered as the two best weapons for the left-arm bowler, so I am learning fast,” said Khan.
Khan, who rose after playing first-class cricket in 2007 in the Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad, said he was also developing aggression under Wasim.
“Wasim told us how to show aggression towards a batsman and I am developing that. I was the most aggressive bowler on the tour to India and then South Africa,” said Khan of Pakistan’s last two tours.
He said tune-up camps are good for burgeoning talent.
“It is a very good initiative from the PCB and chairman Zaka Ashraf has shown interest in helping fast bowlers because Pakistan has always been known for its quality pace bowlers,” said Khan.
Wasim praised Khan’s talent.
“He has the capacity to spearhead Pakistan’s attack and after noticing his talent I recommended his name to Lancashire,” said Wasim of the county he played for in the 1980s and 90s.agencies
