We want to put the record straight - Moin Khan

Pakistan captain Moin Khan said the defeat by Sri Lanka in the last Test series between the two countries was still fresh in their minds and that they wanted to put the record straight by winning the series in Sri Lanka. "We have a defeat by the Sri Lankans at home in our minds. The boys are focussed now. If weather permits, I can assure you that it will have great significance," said Moin speaking at a press conference held at Taj Samudra Hotel yesterday.

Although Pakistan had their only two-day practice game at the Police Park washed out by rain, Moin said : "The boys are in very good touch, I don't think we need to practice so much. We are ready for the Test match". The first of three Tests titled the 'HNB Test series' commences at the SSC grounds tomorrow. Hatton National Bank have undertaken the title sponsorship of the series.

Moin said that after Javed Miandad took over as coach and he, as the captain, the team had developed into a very good side and that they were very much focussed on what they were doing.

"Since Javed joined as a coach we've been working very hard and the results are beginning to show," said Moin.

Since their loss of the Test and one-day series to Sri Lanka at home in March, Pakistan cricket has been on a upward curve winning one-day tournaments in Sharjah, the Caribbean and in Dhaka.

They were narrowly beaten (1-0, 2 drawn) in the three-Test series by West Indies. "We came very good in the Test series. Everybody put in 100 pecent effort. It didn't matter we lost the final Test which was very close. It is history now for Pakistan cricket," said Moin.

He said he initially refused the Pakistan captaincy because there was a communication gap between him and the Pakistan Cricket Board at the time. "I am now enjoying my tenure as captain," said Moin.

Pakistan team manager Brigadier Mohammad Nazir said : "What Whatmore and Jayasuriya did to us in Pakistan, I can assure you that we will try our best to return the compliment in the same way".

Looking at the glittering HNB trophy for which the three-Test series is played for between the two countries, Brigadier Nazir said that he will be very sorry to leave it behind, and that Pakistan would make every endeavour to take it with them.

"Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh we are the same people. It is a most wonderful feeling to be here. That is the spirit in which we are going to stay here, like brothers. We will be fierce competitors on the field, and the best of friends off it," he said.

When questioned on the match-fixing issue, Moin said that they had left such things behind them and they were under instructions from the Pakistan Cricket Board not to comment on the subject.

"We have come here to play cricket and not talk on such issues," said Moin. Wasim Akram, the senior most cricketer in the team will be joining the team today, said Moin and he would play in the first Test. Wasim requires only two wickets to become only the fourth bowler in Test cricket to take 400 wickets. He already has over 400 wickets in the overs-specific game. [END]