We are desperate to win: Moin

Arriving at Dhaka today with the seventh Asia Cup well under way, the Pakistani team wasted no time in addressing the press. Although the team had come to Dhaka by an elaborate and somewhat time consuming route, the mood was upbeat. The fact of the matter however was that they had spent as much as 33 hours in transit. They will be playing their first game tomorrow against the hosts.

The captain of the team Moin Khan said that the "morale in the team is high." While conceding that the team was jetlagged Moin added "we are in good form. Moreover we are desperate to win the Asia Cup because it is something Pakistan has not been able to do in the past." In light of Pakistan's defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the World Cup Moin said "that makes us all the more keen to win against them here."

The coach Javed Miandad too seemed to be in a very positive frame of mind and said he was "satisfied with the composition of the team. Although we will miss the services of Waqar Younis, I am happy with the team." He was quick to add that Younis was only taking a break and would be back in the team in the near future.

Miandad also said that he was satisfied with Shabbir Ahmed's action, which has come under question in the past. The coach said that he had seen the speedster bowl in two games and was happy with what he saw. On the subject of Saeed Anwar, the team said that they had not yet met him as Anwar had arrived earlier. The common refrain of how Anwar was a class player came through loud and clear. Since Anwar has done well here in the past, the team expected him to do well this time around.

All in all, the Pakistanis seem a confident if somewhat tired lot. When they take on Bangladesh tomorrow their formidable array of talent will be on display, even if it may not be tested too much.