Pakistan hoping for ‘fresh start’ against England

Mohsin Khan

KARACHI,  (Reuters) – Interim Pakistan coach Mohsin  Khan said his team were hoping for a ‘fresh start’ when they  take on England for the first time since the spot-fixing scandal  next month.

The former test opener took temporary charge of the team  after Waqar Younis quit for personal reasons in September and  has been retained for next month’s test and one-day series  against England in the United Arab Emirates.

“We know the two teams will play for the first time since  the spot-fixing scandal last year in England,” Khan said.
“We have seen the negative comments in the British media.  But we just want to focus on playing a positive and good  series.”
Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were jailed in  London last month for spot-fixing elements of a test match  against England at Lord’s in 2010.

Mohsin Khan

Although the most significant, the scandal was not the only  controversy surrounding tests between the two countries in  recent years.
In 2006, Pakistan forfeited a test at the Oval after umpires  Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove penalised them for  ball-tampering, leading to tension between the two cricket  boards.

The ICC adjudicator later cleared Pakistan of the ball  tampering charges but banned former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for  misconduct.

Khan, who has led Pakistan to series wins over Sri Lanka and  Bangladesh in his temporary role, was confident relations  between the players would remain cordial even if he believes  strong officiating will be necessary.

“The roles of the referee and umpires will be significant,”  he added. “Whatever has happened in the past is history.
We are  looking ahead now. For us it is a fresh start.

“We want to prove ourselves with our performances that is  all. The rest is history.”
Khan also defended the recall of left arm paceman Wahab  Riaz, insisting all players considered for selection had been  cleared to play by the Pakistan board.

Wahab, whose name was mentioned in court during the  spot-fixing trial in London but has never been charged with an  offense, had not played international cricket for six months  before his recall for the England series.

“We wanted Wahab because he exploits the old ball well and  gets reverse swing,” he said. “These will be important for us on  the pitches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.”

Pakistan, who are unable to host international matches for  security reasons, will play three tests, four one-day  internationals and three Twenty/20 matches in Dubai and Abu  Dhabi from Jan. 17.