PAKISTAN plunged into World Cup controversy today on the eve of their showdown with England amid suggestions that they would "throw" their last two matches.

An article in 'Dawn', Karachi's main English language newspaper, claimed that manager Intikhab Alam had said that his side may lose deliberately to England and New Zealand to ensure a "home" quarter final.

"The circumstances at the moment support the idea of losing to both England and New Zealand so that we finish at number four in our group," 'Inty' was quoted as saying.

"If we qualify for the semi finals we will have to play in India. "But I don't think it is necessary that we also play the quarter final in India.

"We have the option of picking and choosing our venue for the quarter final and if we decide on losing both the games we can play at Faisalabad. I don't see any harm in such a proposition."

Pakistan's defeat by South Africa on Thursday blew their chances of finishing top of the group and booking a quarter final in Karachi.

Inty, the former Test leg spinner, backtracked when contacted today, insisting: "The quotes are out of context. I merely intended to show that we COULD lose both games and stay in Pakistan. But we will be trying to win."

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