LAHORE, Pakistan, March 8 (AFP) - Pakistan captain Wasim Akram and coach Javed Miandad on Monday denied accusations that they gave Sri Lanka an easy ride in the third Asian Test to ensure them a place in the championship final.
India, which is now out of contention, accused Pakistan of allowing Sri Lanka to gain enough bonus points to reach the final on March 12-16 in Bangladesh.
``I did not say anything to the players and we were going for our points. All the batsmen got out after playing good innings,'' Miandad said.
Sri Lanka, without star players Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and Chaminda Vaas, needed seven points from the game to deprive India of a place in the final. India had 10 points from two Tests.
Pakistan had already qualified for the final before their match against Sri Lanka and had a chance to choose their opponent in the final.
Miandad said he would have had no fears of playing India in the final.
``We have recently beaten them in two Tests on their grounds so there was no point in avoiding India,'' he said.
Wasim, who on Saturday became the first Pakistani to take a hat-trick in test cricket, also refused to accept that his team gave Sri Lanka easy points.
``We have always played for a win and that's why we went for quick runs in the first innings so that we can force a win and that's all I have to say,'' he said.
The talking point of day two of the continuing Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was the way in which Pakistan conceded easy points to Sri Lanka.
The rules of the inaugural Asian Championship allow teams to score batting and bowling points in their 100 overs but only in the first innings.
``Pakistan was well within their rights to chose their opponent in the final as per the flawed rules of the championship but they should not have done so,'' former Pakistan paceman Sikander Bakht said.
Tournament director Dulip Mendis of Sri Lanka disagreed that the rules were flawed.
``This has nothing to do with the rules. I saw nothing wrong in this match and Sri Lanka played positively and deserved their points,'' Mendis said.
Former Indian batting star Sunil Gavaskar, one of the three members of the championship's technical committee, agreed with Mendis.
``I find no flaws in the rules but this is the first championship and there can be many changes in the future,'' he said.
``I can't read minds to say there was anything wrong in Pakistan's way of playing,'' he added.
Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja said he found nothing wrong in Pakistan's strategy.
``Pakistanis did nothing wrong if they tried to choose their opponents in the final. If you have Zimbabwe and Australia as options you will definitely chose Zimbabwe and it is another thing if Zimbabwe creates an upset,'' Ramiz said.
Cricket writer Imtiaz Sipra said: ``The reaction is unwarranted.'' |
