RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Dec 21 AFP - Waqar Younis will retain his captaincy of the Pakistan team for the 2003 World Cup, the country's cricket chief announced on Saturday.

"I have no doubts in my mind that Waqar will lead Pakistan in next year's World Cup," Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia said.

The announcement put to rest speculation over who would lead Pakistan in the World Cup in Africa starting in February.

Media reports in Pakistan suggested Waqar would be demoted after the team's dismal 4-1 loss in the one-day series to South Africa which ended this week.

Veteran paceman Wasim Akram was tipped to take over, challenging a match-fixing inquiry's recommendation that he should be barred from leading the team.

"Since Waqar has retained his form and fitness he would continue to lead. If, God forbid, he sustains an injury then as options we have Rashid Latif, Inzamam-ul Haq and Wasim," Zia said.

The squad has been plagued by injury recently, with express pacer Shoaib Akhtar already ruled out of the upcoming Test series with South Africa.

Zia was speaking after a ceremony outside Rawalpindi to unveil the World Cup trophy, which was brought to Pakistan on a sponsored tour.

The eighth World Cup takes place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya next February and March.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.