Karachi, Dec. 14  Pakistan cricket team coach Intikhab Alam has claimed that the atmosphere in the dressing room is improving with the rebuilding of trust among players.

Alam said, "The dressing room atmosphere is getting better already. In Abu Dhabi, the atmosphere was great and, that's a good sign for Pakistan."

Pakistan played a three-match One-day International series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi which it won 3-0.

Commenting on the reported tension between senior players in the team, he said: "Such an episode would not have taken place had there been better communication between the (two) players,"referring to the Shoiab Malik - Mohammad Yousuf issue.

"The war of words between two of the country's leading cricketers would have not taken place if they had spoken more with each other," The News quoted Alam as saying.

"It's very important for a team that its players and officials have a good level of understanding between one another. They should not have any communication gaps because that's what gives rise to all sorts of problems," he added.

Yousuf, who rejoined the breakaway Indian Cricket League (ICL) last month, had accused Malik of being disrespectful towards senior players, including him and had claimed that he defected to the ICL after being treated shabbily by Malik.

Malik has since rejected the accusations.

"As coach I'm trying my best to bridge any communication gaps between my players, and I must say that the boys are responding positively," he said.

Soon after beginning his stint, Alam had a series of meetings with his players and encouraged them to speak about their differences.

"I've been telling my players that to be able to get along like team-mates, you have to sit together, eat together and laugh together," said Alam.

Intikhab is hopeful that his cricket-starved team will get to play some cricket next year. Pakistan hasn't played a single Test in 2008.

"It's very important for my players to get some good matches soon which is why I'm hoping that the home series against India takes place according to schedule."

India is scheduled to tour Pakistan from January 4 to play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 International.

However, it is highly unlikely that the tour will take place on schedule in the wake of Indian Sports Minister M. S. Gill saying India should not tour due to security concerns in Pakistan. (ANI)