Waqar Younis has been confirmed as Pakistan captain for the visit of New Zealand in September. Inzamam-ul-Haq will continue as vice-captain. The Pakistan Cricket Board hinted that they would also like Waqar to lead the side until the 2003 World Cup as long as he remains fit. "Although I am confident that Waqar will maintain the highest standards of fitness, we have to stick to our policy of appointing captains on series-by-series basis," said PCB chairman Lt Gen Tauqir Zia.

The next few months are very busy for Pakistan. As well as the tour by New Zealand they participate in the inaugural Asian Test Championship, visit Bangladesh for a two-Test series, play a three-nation tournament in Sharjah and host the West Indies in a three-Test series.

Zia went on to explain that a core group of players would probably be given central contracts before the start of the Asian Test Championship at the end of August. "Before we award contracts, two things have to be gauged. Firstly, do we have enough funds and secondly, will our players be at par with other teams."

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