Waqar promises England more aggression

Waqar Younis forecast more confrontations between Pakistan and England players when they launch a triangular one-day tournament at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Pakistan captain Waqar said: "I think aggression is important to the game and we will see more in the one-dayers. It's the name of the game."

Both teams were warned about their conduct by match referee Brian Hastings last week during the second test at Old Trafford, following a clash between Andrew Caddick, wicketkeeper Rashid Latif and Azhar Mahmood during the first England innings.

There were other isolated cases of sledging between the teams before Pakistan won to level the two-match series 1-1.

"I don't have a problem with anybody. I have played in English county cricket and we are friends off the field. We're not such good friends on the field but that's the game," Waqar said on Wednesday with a smile.

England stand-in captain Alec Stewart added: "There were words exchanged (at Old Trafford)...it was probably a bit more than normal...but the relationship we have with them is a good one. On Monday evening we were out with Waqar.

"I had four or five years with him at Surrey and he was with (England coach) Duncan Fletcher at Glamorgan."

Australia, the third side in the tournament, play their first game on Saturday when they take on Pakistan in Cardiff. The two top sides from the nine first-phase matches will contest the final at Lord's on June 23.

Waqar, however, was disappointed with the British press coverage after his team's Old Trafford win, arguing that England's defeat had been blamed on four questionable umpiring decisions on the final day.

Some reports also suggested Waqar had been guilty of ball tampering, although the umpires did not change the ball despite regular inspections.

"Whenever we are in England there's always a controversy," said Waqar. "I'm not happy that we didn't get enough credit for our win."

Third umpire for the game, Ray Julian, later said that match referee Brian Hastings had told the umpires via radio to keep an eye out for no-balls during the Old Trafford test.

"It is the match referee's job to inform the field umpires if he sees anything untoward," Julian was quoted on BBC's online service.

"Brian told them to keep an eye on the no-balls - he was concerned they were missing a few. He got on the walkie-talkie to Shep (David Shepherd) and Eddie (Nicholls) between lunch and tea.

"Maybe the pressure got to them. Certainly, they are two experienced umpires and I'm sure they'll be disappointed to miss those no-balls.

"Shep was down after the game. Both he and Eddie are experienced officials but they would admit they made a few mistakes.

"But we must support each other. Wasim Akram, in particular, is hard to pick up for no-balls because he has such a quick follow-through," Julian added.

Mail Cricket Editor