12 January 2005	Wednesday	01 Zilhaj 1425

ADELAIDE, Jan 11: Pakistan will not be carrying any mental scars from its crushing Test cricket series whitewash (by Australia) into the one-day tournament, according to coach Bob Woolmer , who has declared his team's intentions of reaching tri-series finals.

Reunited with his team in Adelaide Tuesday after completing his duties as coach of Asian XI, Woolmer said Pakistanis were in "good spirits" and looking forward to the series, which begins for them on Sunday in Hobart against Australia.

"I am sure they are looking forward to one-day series and trying to set the record straight," Woolmer said. "I don't think Test results will affect them at all. The guys are doing fine.

"We would like to be in the finals and to do well in finals - that's the ultimate goal. I know we are capable of it. I think it's important to try our best in terms of winning something and retrieving something out of the tour. But we have had some positives from the last two Tests. We've learnt a lot."

Skipper Inzamamul Haq, though, told reporters that he would "definitely" take part in warm-up matches, despite being sidelined with a back injury since the first Test in Perth last month. "Hopefully, it is all right," he said.

Inzamam said Pakistan, which has won 12 of its past 17 one-day internationals, was capable of defeating Australia and West Indies to claim this summer's limited-overs title.

"I think we need a win and we will try to start here (in Adelaide)," he said. "We're playing two practice matches and we will try really hard to win both games because winning is a habit. Our team is capable of winning series."

Woolmer played down importance of winning warm-up games but said they would be provide a good opportunity to acclimatise Pakistan's recently arrived one-day specialists - batsman Taufeeq Umar, pace man Rao Iftekhar and all rounders Azhar Mahmood and Mohammad Hafeez.

"The one-day game is a lottery," Woolmer said. "Obviously, we want to do well against Australia A, but, for us, important thing is to perform when push comes to shove in tri-series."

Meanwhile, Australia's rising fast bowling star, Shaun Tait, said he had no desire to follow in footsteps of Pakistan's Akhtar. "I suppose if you're fit enough, then why not do it (have a long run-up)?" he said. "But I'm not sure he is."

Meanwhile, Pakistan's cricket tour party has been reunited here, but doubt continues to surround injury-prone flamboyant speedster Shoaib Akhtar's Australian sojourn as he battles to overcome a debilitating back problem.

Shoaib's involvement in upcoming tri-series of one-day internationals remains in question as he continues to suffer sciatic nerve pain that is affecting his back and upper legs. He had epidural treatment earlier this week, and success of procedure won't be known for several days. Until such time, he has been ordered to rest.

The 29-year-old will miss Pakistan's next two fixtures, a limited-overs meeting with Australia A in Adelaide on Wednesday and a novelty Twenty20 (20-overs per side) match against same opposition at Adelaide Oval on Thursday evening.

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer rejoined his team in South Australia having been invited to coach Asian Cricket Council XI in Monday's charity match in Melbourne, which also included Pakistan players Yousuf Youhana and Abdul Razzaq.

But Woolmer was unsure as to whether 'Rawalpindi Express' would miss his team's opening one-day match against Australia in Hobart next Sunday. "I don't think he will be playing (in Adelaide) because injection takes two to four days to settle, but we are hopeful he will be ready and fit for start of the series," Woolmer said. -Agencies