Latif set to play a pivotal role

Pakistani wicketkeeper Rashid Latif is likely to play a pivotal role in his team's World Cup campaign.

Being one of the most experienced players of the side and possessing a shrewd cricketing brain, Latif should be able to give the Pakistan bowling an extra edge through his tips from behind the stumps.

"We will win the World Cup. I've been looking forward to playing in the World Cup as this is going to be my last tournament for Pakistan," Latif told Gulf News.

Latif threw light on his condition after having been out of action through injury. "I have fully recovered from my neck injury. I've been under treatment in South Africa and Karachi.

"The physiotherapy sessions at Johannesburg and some massage in Karachi have helped me recover. I am feeling good and am looking forward to give my best," he said.

On the wickets in South Africa, he said: "The last time we toured South Africa, the home team made wickets that suited them. Everyone now makes wickets to gain home advantage ... like New Zealand did against India recently. But the World Cup is different as many teams play on it; so they cannot create a specific type of wicket. Generally the South African wickets are ideal for batting, but we have a good bowling side," he revealed.

"Our players look very good now and we will fight as a unit. You will witness this in our first match against Australia," said Latif, who handles the stressful job of keeping the wickets against Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar, three of the finest pacers in the world.

Latif opined that it would be difficult to predict a winner in the match against Australia today. "It will be the first match for both of us and both of us stand an even chance to win the match."

The Pakistan team , according to Latif, have trained very hard. "There is enormous team spirit right now, and whenever the team spirit has been high we have won our matches," he said.