Talking to journalists at the conclusion of the national training camp of the team at the Qadhafi Stadium, Ramiz Raja said that fresh from a victory in the Independence Cup in India in May this year, the Sri Lankan team would bea formidable opponent. The advantage of home ground and crowd will further help Sri Lankans to give a tough time to the other teams of the tournament, Ramiz said. Similarly, he said that the inclusion of seasoned batsman Azharuddin has strengthened the batting department of the Indian team. However, like Pakistan, the Indian team is also facing shortage of experienced fast bowlers. Despite all facts, Pakistan team is capable of beating India and Sri Lanka as it had done in the league matches of the Independence Cup, Ramiz said. To a ques tion, he said that the inclusion of Aamir Sohail in the team will bring positive results.

The newly appointed coach of the team Haroon Rashid who is also a member of the selection committee said that a great responsibility lay on the shoulders of Aaqib Javed who is the only experienced fast bowler of the team. Kabir Khan and Shahid Nazir, indeed, were good bowlers but they were less experienced. He said that the spin bowling department of his team was better, specially after the inclusion of Aamir Sohail in the team who as a part-time bowler always bowled economically in the one-day matches. With Saqlain Mushtaq, ArshadKhan, Muhammad Hussain and Shahid Afridi the leg-spinner Aamir Sohail will prove helpful to save Pakistan from the losses of a weak pace-attack of the team, Haroon said.

To a question, he said that a committee headed by senior member of the team Salim Malik was formed with the consent of captain Ramiz Raja which will maintain discipline and better coordination among the members of the team on and off the field during the Asia Cup. The members of the committee were Saeed Anwar and Moin Khan, Haroon said. He expressed the hope that this experiment would prove helpful in maintaining discipline and harmony among the players. To another query, Haroon Rashid denied the allegation that as member of the national selection committee he opposed Basit Ali's induction in the touring side. Basit's name was not even considered in the selection committee meeting. As such the question of opposing Basit Ali did not arise, Haroon said. Earlier, the training camp was concluded. The members of the team will reach Karachi by July 9 in batches. From Karachi, the team will depart for Colombo on July 10.

The team is: Captain Ramiz Raja, vice captain Saeed Anwar, Aamir Sohail, Inzimam-ul-Haq, Salim Malik, Shahid Afridi, Hassan Raza, Moin Khan, Arshad Khan, Saqlain Mushtaq, Muhammad Hussain, Aaqib Javed, Kabir Khan and Shahid Nazir. The officials are: Manager: Zaheer Abbas, Associate manager: Aamir Hayat Rokari, Coach: Haroon Rashid.