Rashid Latif, the Pakistani wicket keeper is leading the Pakistani side for the Hong Kong International Cricket Sixes. Here he is, talking to CricInfo's correspondent Rohan Chandran and the cricket fans on IRC undernet channel #cricket.

masoom: Rashid: What are chances of Imran Khan becoming an elected official in Pakistan politics?

Rashid: He has a very good chance. He is the next Prime Minister of Pakistan. He is tied up with the MQM which is the third biggest political party.

vrsridhar: Rashid: What do you think of Moin Khan's Keeping ?

Rashid: He is a good batsman- wicketkeeper, not wicketkeeper- batsman! He is a good friend of mine. He played a very good innings for Pakistan in England, that is why I am dropped from the team.

Kilroy: greetings. Do you know of or suspect anything involving fabrication of birth certificates in your country?

Rashid: No comment about the birth certificates!

masoom: Rashid: What are chances for Saeed Anwar in the near future. How do you comapre him with the leading openers in the world?

Rashid: Saeed Anwar is my good friend. he played with me in the Club cricket and University cricket. He improves day by day. He is better than any world class player, like also Basit Ali. My favourite player is Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin Tendulkar is better than Lara. More stylish and good team man. He plays for his country.

WGG: How do you rate your team's chances in the 6's?

Rashid: We have three new boys in the team, Muhammad Zahid is a quick bowler - almost Waqar's speed. Sajid Ali is a good hitter of the ball. He has a few Pakistan domestic one-day records. Aamer Hanif is a good all rounder. He has also played for Pakistan. Ijaz Ahmed (jnr), he broke the record of Zaheer Abbas - 7 centuries in a domestic season, Ijaz made 8.

sailesh: Rashid: which do you find easier, keeping wickets to the sheer pace of Akram and Younis, or concentrating for Mushtaq and Saqlain.

Rashid: Saqlain is the most difficult to keep to. One of the best off spinners I have ever seen. Aamir Sohail is also very difficult to keep to, because no-one knows what he is going to bowl !

vrsridhar: How do you rank yourself among world's wicket keepers?

Rashid: Healy and Dave Richardson are both top wicket keepers. Jeff Dujon is the best ever for me. Best ever 'keeper that is.

Penfold: For me too! How do you rate England's chances against Australia next season, after you've seen them this summer.

Rashid: They are playing 6 Tests, result will be 5-0 I think to Australia! I rate Australia as the #1 team in world cricket.

mohan: Rashid: Why do you think India can't come up with quality pace bowlers like Pakistan so consistently does?

Rashid: (jokingly) They are not eating beef too much, that's why!

chandra: Rashid: Do you still think Pakistan can lift the Sahara Cup? If yes, what's the main reason for that. You know, at present Pakistan are 1-2 behind ...

Rashid: The indian team is better now. They have some new players like Rahul Dravid, Saurav Ganguly and especially Joshi. They are a good batting side and bowling also. Pakistan need two players. Aaqib Javed in the bowling attack, and Basit Ali in the middle order, and myself behind the wickets of course! Then we will beat India!

Date-stamped : 07 Oct1998 - 04:33