This was stated by the South African team manager S K Reddy while talking to reporters on Thursday at the Qadhafi Stadium where all the teams practised under floodlights.

Reddy said Sri Lankan were champions and they also managed to maintain their supremacy after winning the World Cup in 1996. He said that West Indian team who had won World Cup twice would have upset any side. He said South African had always faced tough fight from the Carribeans. Reddy said Pakistan team had the services of seasoned players and the home ground and crowd advantages would also support them.

He said South African captain Hansie Cronje was confident about the victory of the team. He, however, admitted that his team would miss three players McMillan, Kallis and Schultz who due to one reason or another had stayed at home. ``They are good all-rounders and badly needed by the team for one-day game'' Reddy said. But he said South Africa was still a well balanced side.

He said the South African team was given excellent facilities of practice and lodging.

The Pakistan team coach Haroon Rashid said that his men must worked hard to win the tournament. Rashid said that the team had been demoralised for the time being, but now was ready to win the tournament. ``One-day is a different type of cricket to Test and my team is comprising all-rounders who are suited for this type of game'' Haroon said. To a question, he said Rashid Lateef and Moin Khan would have play together in a match. He said Moin Khan had played a lot of cricket and having his back problems. Therefore, he said, Rashid Lateef was also inducted in the team. To a query, he said as the tournament would be played on three different pitches and the team would be changed for every match according to the nature of the wicket. He said leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmad was dropped from the team at his own request because he wanted rest for the rest marathon cricket season.