Date-stamped : 16 Nov95 - 06:36 Electronic Telegraph Wednesday 15 November 1995 Intikhab defends Wasim after Imran`s broadside By Peter Deeley in Brisbane INTIKHAB ALAM, the Pakistan manager, yesterday defended his side and his captain, Wasim Akram, from criticism emanating from home following the crushing defeat here at the hands of the Australi- ans in the first Test. After putting the players through four hours of punishing prac- tice in readiness for the second game, in Hobart, starting on Friday, Intikhab admitted: "We didn`t enjoy that defeat. "But we will come back. We make a habit of starting badly and then bouncing back. I know we lost badly but it isn`t the end of the world." Wasim`s reappointment as captain has been attacked. However, In- itkhab said: "I think he deserved to get the captaincy back. You can`t judge a person on one Test. He must be given time and I think he will succeed." >From Lahore, Imran Khan has described Pakistan`s cricket reputa- tion as "almost irreparably damaged" by allegations including that of bribery against Salim Malik. Imran said: "This series in Australia has given the team no time to prepare properly for the World Cup [in February] and if the side come back after being thrashed by the Australians their con- fidence will be in ruins." Intikhab, though, maintains that preparations for Pakistan`s de- fence of the title are well in hand. "Imran is entitled to his view - although he is talking from a distance - but he will find that we are more than ready when the competition starts." Imran claimed Pakistan cricket had gone back since they won the World Cup in 1992 because "everyone got greedy and materialis- tic". Intikhab said: "That is a matter of opinion. But I know a lot of people have been saying that." Salim, his left hand bandaged, did not bat in the nets and seems unlikely to play. His place may go to brother-in-law Ijaz Ahmed who arrived at the weekend. Source :: Electronic Telegraph Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)