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Karachi, Sept 8: Newly appointed Pakistan captain Moin Khan on Wednesday said he was determined to continue the good job done by his predecessor Wasim Akram.

"I am a stand-in captain for Wasim Akram. So I am looking forward to hand over the team back to him in the same way I have got from him," he said.

This year under Wasim Akram, Pakistan drew the two-Test series against India, clinched the inaugural Asian Test Championship, won the back-to-back triangular contests in India and Sharjah before reaching the final of the World Cup.

The wicket-keeper said the team has blended into a winning combination "and the credit of it goes only to Wasim Akram. I wish that he soon takes over the charge and lead Pakistan to more glories."

Referring to the Toronto series, Moin said the members of the side were keen to begin the 1999-2000 international season on a winning note. But he warned that cricket was a game of uncertainties. "Like any other team, we also hate to lose. But only fools predict in this sport because the complexion of the game can change in one over. "If we enter the field with the desire to win, similar is the objective of the opponent. Therefore, I would only say that we would try to do our best."

Moin made a passionate appeal to the followers of the game to take the sport as a sport. He said the recent allegations have done enough damage to the team and country and it was time to put a halt to all this. "The allegations have affected the morale and confidence of the players. The accusations have placed the team in a situation where the cricketers first discuss what would happen back home in case they lost instead of chalking out next day's planning. "Even in the field, it is in the back of their mind that if they lost, the defeat would be attributed to foul- play and thus they cannot concentrate on the job in hand," he explained.

Moin hailed the inclusion of Aamir Sohail but felt sorry for Shahid Afridi. "Aamir's class and calibre is an open secret. He is one of the outstanding cricketers in the world. I am looking forward to a good performance from him which would help him cement his place in the team for the forthcoming tours which are very important for Pakistan cricket," he said.

About Shahid Afridi, he observed that it was not the end of the world for him. He said the player should consider his shortcomings and try to overcome them so that he can quickly regain his lost place. "Pakistan team is a blend of youth and experience. It is a very good side and hopefully a good contest would be witnessed in Toronto," he said. The West Indies, he continued, would be a difficult team after their success against India in Singapore. "But I believe that Pakistan is a more balanced and experienced side than the opponents."