Mohsin happy with players handling of spot-fixing scandal

Pakistan coach says the squad had shown responsibility and character.

DUBAI: Pakistan coach Mohsin Khan on Saturday told AFP he was satisfied with his team's ability to put behind them the spot-fixing scandal which ended in three of their former team-mates being handed down prison sentences in England.

Former Test captain Salman Butt and pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were sent to prison over their roles in fixing parts of the Lord's Test against England last year.

Khan agreed the scandal could have been distracting for his team during their series against Sri Lanka here in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

"The spot-fixing saga was sad," Khan told AFP. "I made sure that all the boys should stay away from it mentally and I am glad that the boys responded very well and are performing well."

Pakistan won the three-Test series 1-0 and went 1-0 up in the first of five matches by registering an eight wicket win on Friday. The second match will be played in Dubai on Monday.

Mohsin, 56, said he was satisfied with his team's performance.

"I am 90 percent satisfied with the team's performance and since there is always room for improvement we are looking for that in all the departments of the game," said Khan, a former opener who is also the current chief selector.

Khan said the squad had shown responsibility and character.

"The best thing about this set of players is that they are assuming their responsibilities and they know that playing for the country is the biggest honour for them," said Khan, who has also been retained as coach for the Bangladesh tour.

Khan was made coach for an interim period after Waqar Younis quit the post in September because of health problems.

After the one-day series, Pakistan play a Twenty20 in Abu Dhabi on November 26 before leaving for Dhaka, where they open the tour with a T20 game against Bangladesh three days later.

Pakistan also play three one-day matches and two Tests in Bangladesh.

Khan praised veteran Misbahul Haq's captaincy.

"Misbah is doing a sensible job," said Khan of the 37-year-old captain. "When ten players are in support things become easier for the captain and Misbah is doing a great job.

"Our combined task is to make the players mentally strong and make sure that the team does not lose track, which is very important," said Khan, vowing to serve the country in every capacity.

"My motto is to serve the country because I owe it to my country," said Khan, who played 48 Tests and 75 one-dayers between 1977-86.