Islamabad, July 08: Australian trainer Dennis Waight has agreed to join the pakistan cricket team on an eight-month contract and serve it till the 2003 World Cup. Waight, who spent almost two decades as the West Indies cricket team's physiotherapist, will arrive in Lahore on July 17 where the training camp for the Tangiers triangular series begins on July 12, according to sources in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

''Waight has accepted the contract to serve the Pakistan team until the 2003 World Cup that concludes in March next year,'' the Dawn, quoting PCB sources, said yesterday.

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The Australian trainer has been hired to improve the endurance, stamina and fitness of the players, particularly the aging ones, the sources said adding that the three factors, no doubt, will be the key to Pakistan's success in the month-long extravaganza as the green-shirted players are the most talented in the present lot. Prior to the World Cup, Pakistan will play South Africa and Sri Lanka in the three-nation tournament in tangiers (Morocco) – the newest international venue.

Then they play a triangular one-day series, involving Australia and New Zealand, in Kenya, the champions trophy in Sri Lanka, a test series against Australia and test tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Meanwhile, Trevor Chappell has arrived in Pakistan and is looking after the regional academy in Muridke. He has been hired to improve the fielding skills of the youngsters.

''Chappell will also spend a week with the Pakistan team prior to our departure for Tangiers,'' team manager Yawar Saeed said. Pakistan coach Mudassar Nazar is due to arrive in Lahore tomorrow while Wasim Akram returns from Manchester on July 10.

''If all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq are named in the team, they will join the squad in London where we have a two-hour stopover before proceeding to the African city,'' the manager added.
Bureau Report