Pakistan's limited-overs captain, Shahid Afridi, is upbeat about his team's World Cup chances, saying that the country can regain the title if the players live up to their potential.
"It might sound like a joke at this point in time but I'm confident that in spite of all the team's problems, we will give a good showing in the World Cup next year," The News quoted Afridi, as saying.
"But we have to work really hard in the coming months and make it sure that the boys give their best in the World Cup," he stressed.
Afridi admitted that the spot-fixing scandal had caused Pakistan a lot of trouble, and expressed hope that the tainted trio would come out clean and play in the World Cup.
"The three players suspended because of the scandal are among our key performers and it would be a big blow if they cannot play for Pakistan in the World Cup," the allrounder said.
"But our morale is still high and I hope that the team will give its best to win the title," he added.
Three of Pakistan's leading players- Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif- were suspended by the ICC last September after being accused of accepting bribes from match-fixers during the Lord's Test against England
