Aussie team reprimanded over sledging

Karachi, Dec 2: Pakistan manager Yawar Saeed on Thursday said the Australian team was severely reprimanded for sledging by Match Referee John Reid during the three-Test series that concluded on Sunday.

Yawar Saeed said Pakistan management officially complained against Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh.

"John Reid didn't tell me which player he reprimanded during the Hobart Test but he confirmed that he warned the Australians in the home team's dressing room," Yawar said.

Yawar said there was no disciplinary problem but admitted that Wasim Akram's statement that he has to call his wife every time Pakistan loses was totally uncalled for.

"I don't know how serious Wasim was but I believe it was unnecessary. But I agree with the captain's first statement that Pakistan would win the series. These statements are given to boost the morale of the team," Yawar said from Islamabad on telephone.

Yawar said there was total consensus when the captain or any other team official went to talk to the press.

"We used to discuss what we had to say. Similarly, we used to inform each other what was said by them in the press conference," he said.

Yawar said Wasim's statement after the four-dayer at Adelaide before the back-to-back Tests that Darren Lehmann should be in the side instead of Justin Langer had been twisted by the Australian media.

"What he actually said was the way he (Lehmann) batted, he should be in the Test side," he said.

Yawar Saeed, on the appearance of Raja Khan as assistant manager, said he had disallowed Raja Khan's entry in the dressing room and team bus after seeking approval from the PCB chairman.

"I had informed the ACB that Raja Khan had nothing to do with the Pakistan team but even if he has been quoted somewhere, I don't know. As far as the team is concerned, it had nothing to do with Raja Khan.

"Raja Khan was there on his expenses though he was extending little help to the players by providing them minute things like bat grips etc," Yawar said