Pak to field reserve players against Australia

Pakistan skipper Younis Khan confirmed India's worst fears by admitting that his side would field their reserve players in Wednesday's Champions Trophy game against Australia at Centurion.

"We will make a few changes, some are forced. Imran Nazir has a broken finger. Mohammad Asif deserves a look in, so do Fawad Alam and Iftikhar Rao. They need to be brought in. Some changes would certainly be made," said Younis.

Younis himself is battling a fractured right finger but lamented mockingly that nobody in his side wants to give him a rest.

He, however, pooh-poohed claims that Pakistan would look to lose against Australia on Wednesday and dump India out of the tournament.

"I don't think in that manner. Given a choice, I would love to have an India-Pakistan final. We saw at Centurion the other night when the two sides played. It was the only game in this tournament where the stands were jam-packed. Everyone wants to watch an India-Pakistan game.

"It's critical for players too. I made my mark against India and was quickly accepted. Same happens for India, if a young player of theirs makes a mark against us," Younis said.

Younis said no team would want to break the winning momentum in such a big tournament.

"So losing Wednesday's game is not the way to go. We would actually like to do very well against Australia for we might face them in the final. If your form is good and everything is going well, you don't want to break the rhythm and lose," he said.

He said winning or losing is part of the game and both Indian and Pakistani players should be left alone after a clash between the arch-rivals.

"Today everyone is after Dhoni. If I had lost that game (at Centurion), everyone would have been after me. That's not fair. Sports should be above all this. If there is an edge in India-Pakistan game, it's good for the game. That's important and not gora aur kala (black or white) and nationalities," Younis said.