ISLAMABAD. Mar 2: Pakistan batsman Javed Miandad spoke out here on Saturday to deny speculation that he had walked out on the team before its World Cup encounter with South Africa, reports AFp.

But Miandad, after confirming that injury and illness' had been behind hia absence, then hinted he Ivas unhappy with his role in the side.

Miandad. the World Cup's record run-getter. said: "I had ii lummy problem as well as a back problem. I didn't want to. take a chance. If something had happened. 1 would have been out of the tournament.”

•The 38-year-old. a veteran of all six World Cups and who returned for the tournament after a two-year retirement,' had originally said he had been forced to. miss Thursday's Group B game with a stomach bug. wh()e team captain Wasim Akram -put it down to a strained back muscle.-

Sources close to the team suggested a third reason, argu-

ing there had been a confrontation between player and management because Miandad was not happy playing at number'six.

Asked on Saturday if he was happy in that position, Miandad answered: That's a different story. I have told -them about my availability. I have played in every position' in the top order. It's up to the captain which number he wants

me to play."

When he was asked if he

would prefer the number three or four spot, he added: 'There are many good questions but It's difficult to answer.'"

Earlier, former Indian Test player Farokh Engineer, working for Hong-Kong based satellite channel Star Sports, said he would not be surprised if the claims of a walk-out were true.

"There has been a lot of dissension in Pakistan's past and I wouldn't put it past them now. especially since Wasim didn't captain the side very well."

But he also argued the player should l>e promoted up , the order. ।

"I would be hurt if I was batting at number six. He should definitely be batting at three." he , said'. "The number three should be the sheet anchor of the team around which it revolves."

The Muslim, a local Islamabad daily, meanwhile, printed an opinion piece under the headline "Miandad back to his old tricks", arguing: "It was Just a matter of time that Miandad would retort to old ways of causing some kind of tension in the Pakistani camp or creating differences In the team."