Shahid Afridi would have no problem putting Wahab Riaz into the Pakistan team for Friday's crucial Natwest series match against England despite the fast bowler being questioned this week by police investigating the 'spot-fixing' controversy.
Seam bowler Riaz was interviewed and unconditionally released by police on Tuesday in the wake of the News of the World allegations that no-balls were purposely bowled during the fourth Test between Pakistan and England last month.
Three other members of the team - Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif - have flown back to Pakistan after they were also questioned by the authorities over the allegations. All have protested their innocence.
Mohammad Irfan looks set to be dropped for the game at The Oval after his poor showing at Headingley, while a potential replacement for the giant seamer, Abdul Razzaq, has been suffering with a back niggle.
Razzaq is now nearing full fitness, but should his recovery be set back Afridi would be left with only Riaz as a near like-for-like alternative.
The Pakistan skipper insists Riaz, who took five for 63 on his Test debut at The Oval last month, is in the right state of mind to play despite his meeting with police earlier this week.
"I have no idea what is going on (with the police questioning) but what I do know is that he is a part of my squad," Afridi said.
"If I think it's right then I'll give him a chance. If I need him I will definitely go with him."
The off-field controversy surrounding Pakistan has come during a one-sided contest between the two sides this summer.
England swept aside Pakistan 3-1 in the Test series before the tourists were whitewashed in the Twenty20 series.
Defeats at Chester-le-Street and Headingley mean Afridi's team are on the brink of losing the five-match series after just three games.
Nevertheless, the charismatic captain is confident his side can win after seeing them just fall short of an unlikely victory at Leeds, where England reached their target of 295 with three balls remaining.
"I think the performance was very good but there were a few missed opportunities there," said Afridi, who was livid at Irfan for his poor showing in the field on Sunday.
"I hope that we don't repeat the same mistakes we did at Headingley this time around.
"I think we should take these opportunities and my team is capable of beating any team.
"We can win the match, definitely."
Afridi was speaking as Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ijaz Butt met with International Cricket Council president Sharad Pawar in New Delhi for talks on staging an India-Pakistan Test series for the first time since the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November 2008.
The two also discussed the 'spot-fixing' allegations, with Butt denying claims that the PCB had requested the ICC be lenient on 18-year-old Aamer due to his age, if he is found guilty of any offence.
"No demand has been given (for leniency)," PCB chairman Butt said. "If there is anything found in the investigation, then as far as we are concerned, there will be no tolerance."
Pawar, meanwhile did not hide his dissatisfaction at the allegations, saying the most severe punishments would be handed out if they prove to be true.
"Nobody wants to hide anything," Pawar said.
"The ICC will take ruthless action if spot-fixing is proved."
With captain Butt, Asif and Aamer unavailable for the foreseeable future after being suspended by the ICC while they investigate the claims, Afridi is already looking at potential replacements.
Afridi said: "Asif, Salman Butt and Aamer are from the playing XI so it has affected the team that they have gone home, but I know we have some talent and maybe after this tour I will sit down with the coach and the selection committee and find some new guys. We have a lot of talent back home."