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Faced with the prospect of launching their World Cup challenge with rust forming on an attack which carries their greatest hope of success, Pakistan are attempting to arrange an extra warm-up game in advance of Sunday's Group B opener against the West Indies at Bristol.

Yesterday's washout at Old Trafford followed severely rain-affected trips to Derbyshire and Durham to leave Pakistan as the least prepared of the World Cup participants and prompted a plea to the organisers for 'special case' help.

Tour manager Zafar Altaf explained: ``It is a serious disappointment that we have not played a single complete game and it represents such a disadvantage that I am hoping an extra match can be arranged in Bristol. Our batsmen have faced only 60 overs and the bowlers have managed only 17 so we need time in the middle.

``We would be grateful for more time for the players, especially the youngsters who have not been here before, to acclimatise.''

One ripple of controversy has caused a redistribution of responsibility within the Pakistan camp with coach Mushtaq Mohammad, appointed last weekend, taken off media liaison after being quoted as criticising the England selectors in one Sunday paper.

Dr Altaf commented: ``Mushtaq is adamant that he did not not say such things and in future I will be dealing with the media.''