Summary Pakistan's cricket team left of England early Tuesday to participate in Champions Trophy.
LAHORE (AFP) - Pakistan s cricket squad left for England early Tuesday, seeking to win next month s Champions Trophy and avoid any repetition of the scandal that marred their last British tour in 2010.
The spot-fixing scandal, disclosed by the now defunct News of the World, was related to the deliberate bowling of no-balls in return for money during the Lord s Test against England.
It resulted in bans on then-captain Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer as well as jail terms for the trio and their agent Mazhar Majeed.
Pakistan s manager Naveed Akram Cheema said the players had been briefed extensively to avoid any controversy.
"We have briefed the players that this is a very sensitive tour and they should maintain strict discipline as we don t want a repeat of 2010 events," Cheema told reporters.
"Players are told to restrict their off-the-field movement."
A special "vigilance" officer will accompany the squad in addition to a regular security officer.
Pakistan will play two one-day games each against Scotland and Ireland before competing in the eight-nation Champions Trophy in England from June 6-23.
They are in group B along with arch-rivals India, the West Indies and South Africa. Holders Australia, England, Sri Lanka and New Zealand form group A.
Captain Misbah-ul Haq, not a member of the fateful 2010 tour, said the team can succeed. "I think there are no favourites for the trophy," he said.
"We have a talented team and if all the players play their roles accordingly, then we can win the tournament. We have selected a squad specifically for English conditions."
Misbah said Pakistan have a balanced team, with a strong bowling attack.
"We have world-class spinners and some quality pace bowlers in Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan, but it is a matter of how we execute our plans and everybody does his job," he said.
Pakistan have off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman while opener Mohammad Hafeez also bowls off-spin.
All-rounder Shahid Afridi and experienced batsman Younis Khan were not selected while spearhead Umar Gul was ruled out with a knee injury.
Head coach Dav Whatmore also said the team will aim for the title.
"We always want to open a series or a tournament with a win and that s what we are going to do in the Champions Trophy," said Whatmore, a former Australian batsman.
"Our team is balanced and strong and we have prepared well for the event."
