The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Khalid Mahmood, held a lengthy pep-talk with five senior cricketers of the team last week.

The five cricketers who attended the meeting along with camp commandant Mohsin Khan, included Saeed Anwar, Inzamamul Haq, Moin Khan, Ijaz Ahmad and Aamir Sohail. Two young guns of Pakistan cricket - Mohammad Wasim and Aamir Nazir - were also present in the meeting.

According to informed sources, Mahmood inquired from the cricketers the reasons for sub-standard performance of the team duringthe recent tri-nation series in South Africa.

Mahmood, sources said, also promised to remove the communication gap between the players and the cricket administrators. He told the players to inform the authorities of their problems, assuring that the officials will try to resolve them as soon as possible.

The players were also questioned about their reported differences by the PCB chairman who later reminded them that the interest of the team should be the top priority of any professional cricketer.

The PCB chairman also took suggestions as to what steps should be taken to improve the team and how a more competitive side can be raised for next year's World Cup in England.