HYDERABAD, Sept 21: Chairman, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Shaharyar M Khan said on Wednesday it was the aim of the board that national cricket team should attain its peak form before the World Cup in 2007 and it could only be achieved through team spirit, unity and discipline.

About preparations for the World Cup, he said that players would have to follow advice of captain as well as the coach. He categorically stated that Pakistan team was among the best in the world as far as ODIs were concerned but there were some weaknesses in the Test side.

“Although we have bowlers who can swing the ball but we lack genuine fast bowlers and there is no opening pair in the Test side,” he remarked.

The PCB chief said that Pakistan also has a strong reserve and backup strength in the shape of its ‘A’ team who has defeated Sri Lanka, England and then South Africa Academy.

“If our junior side is strong then our national side will get stronger automatically,” he observed.

The chairman visited PCB Regional Academy ground in Rani Bagh and expressed his displeasure over its condition.

Afzal Gujjar, a member of the steering committee of District Cricket Association (DCA) Hyderabad, who accompanied him confirmed that Mr Khan was visibly upset to the extent that he did not even visit the pavilion of the ground despite repeated requests by board officials.

Afzal, however, said that when the ground was prepared when no elected body existed. Now DCA officials had been elected and if funds were released their utilization would be monitored by them and they would be held responsible for any wrongdoing.

The PCB chief also visited Niaz Stadium where he met a delegation of women cricket association of Hyderabad. He informed them that PCB would ensure holding a Women Asia Cup 2005 match at Niaz Stadium. He said that PCB would also establish a ground in Public School for women separately and all facilities would be provided there.

He urged ground staff to beautify the stadium with saplings and flower pots. He also met players of Shikarpur and Hyderabad who were playing PCB Inter-district Senior cricket championship.