Waqar ready to play Riaz despite row

CHESTER-LE-STREET, England, AFP - Pakistan coach Waqar Younis has no qualms about fielding Wahab Riaz in the remaining one-day internationals against England despite the seamer being caught up in the spot-fixing row engulfing the team.

"He's in the (squad of) 15. All 15 are available," fast bowling great Waqar told reporters.

The 25-year-old Riaz is to be interviewed by police who have already questioned team-mates Salman Butt, Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif over claims that they took money to deliberately bowl no-balls in last month's fourth Test at Lord's.

Riaz was making only his second Test appearance in that match, where he bowled two wides and eight no-balls. Butt, Aamer, and Asif have all been suspended by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and returned home on Friday.

Even before the global governing body, sparked into action by a report in Britain's News of the World Sunday tabloid, imposed the suspensions, England had made it clear they would be unhappy to play against the trio in this month's one-day series.

Riaz missed the opening contest, a 24-run win for England at the Riverside here on Friday, but Pakistan insisted his omission was purely tactical and Waqar, speaking after that defeat, insisted: "I'm told by the management that he is available, and that's where my line comes."