Corrupt players should not be spared: Whatmore

"What has happened in the IPL is unfortunate but when I was working with the Kolkata Knight Riders team I didn`t see or sense any such thing going in the league," Whatmore told a media conference.

"If anyone is indulging in corruption anywhere he must be dealt with strongly by the administrators. I think the ICC and its members are also well aware of what needs to be done to deal with this problem," he added.

Meanwhile, Whatmore defended the decision to select separate Test, ODI and T20 teams for the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka. "It is always a good thing if a new blood is given an opportunity to play for his national team. It only leads to healthier competition for places and allows you to have a broader scope of talent to choose from," Whatmore said.

The Pakistan selectors, in consultation with Whatmore have picked up separate teams for the different formats for the Sri Lanka tour with at least six new faces in the three squads and another nine players being recalled.

Insisting that there is a need to have specialist players for the different formats, Whatmore said, "I`m satisfied that players have been picked in the different teams according to their suitability for each format. As far as captaincy is concerned that is not my area and I will support and back any decision the PCB takes."

Whatmore had no doubt that his players would face a gruelling test in Sri Lanka, who are hard to beat in their own backyard. "Our team will be sternly tested on the upcoming tour.
But we are prepared as we are expecting batting pitches and the weather is similar in Pakistan and Sri Lanka," said the former Australian cricketer.

On Wednesday, Pakistan started a two-week conditioning camp in Lahore involving 24 players. The squad had a morning fitness session at the National Academy and around noon, they ventured to the outdoors nets at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. "It`s pretty warm out here as well but it means it will be easy for us to acclimatise to the conditions in Sri Lanka," Whatmore said.

"We`re lucky we do a bit of work in the heat, early in the morning and a little bit in the afternoon. I think it is important for the batsmen and bowlers to prepare themselves accordingly for a tough series against a top class opposition. We are also paying lot of attention to the physical fitness and fielding of the players. Some of the bowlers and batsmen have been working out in heat so we are ensuring we are prepared. I think we have to prepare ourselves properly for a series against a pretty strong opposition in their home country," he added.

Whatmore also voiced his support for the inexperienced players who have been included for the tour. "There`s one or two changes in the squad and that`s a good thing because I think keeping exactly the same personnel you are marching on the spot, we want to move forward all the time," said Whatmore.