Pak cricketers have put spot fixing scandal behind them: Mohsin Khan

Pakistan cricket team coach Mohsin Khan has expressed satisfaction with the national squad’s ability to put last year’s spot-fixing scandal behind them, which ended in three of their former team-mates sentenced to prison in England.

Former Test captain Salman Butt and pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer 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 Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying: "The spot-fixing saga was sad. 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 per cent 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 has 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 has been 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.