Karachi, June 12 (IANS) The Pakistani cricket team left for Sri Lanka Saturday for the Asia Cup at Dambulla later this month and skipper Shahid Afridi said they will go all out to win the title.

The June 15-24 Asia Cup will be the first assignment for Pakistan during a 101-day odyssey before a long summer in England, where it will play back-to-back series against Australia and the hosts from early July to end of September.

The last time they went on a long sojourn - the twin tours of New Zealand and Australia - Pakistan had to endure a series of controversies and returned home after losing all their matches against Australia.

Later, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) probe committee ruled that the national team flopped because its players were engaged in infighting and went on to punish seven of its leading members including Mohammad Yousuf - Pakistan’s captain in New Zealand and Australia.

However, Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s current captain, believes all those controversies are now a thing of the past.

"What has happened cannot be changed," he told The News. "What we can do is ensure that past mistakes are not repeated. We cannot afford to be a bickering lot and the only way we can give our best is by staying united."

Afridi assured that under him, there won’t be any "groupings" in the team. "What I want is that our team should be united on the field and off it."

The skipper said he would see to it that the players spend maximum time together in Sri Lanka and in England.

"I know the importance of having frequent team meetings," he said. "It’s also important for all the players to dine together as much as possible and discuss issues openly because these are the things that help to boost team spirit."

Afridi, who was appointed the Pakistan captain for all three formats last month, believes his team is capable of producing good results both in Sri Lanka and in England.

"It’s a pretty balanced actually," he said. "We have a very solid bowling attack and the batting is also looking good. There is a lot of potential. What we need is to translate that potential into positive results and that’s only possible if each and every player gives his best for the team."

Afridi said for the moment his team is just focusing on the Asia Cup. "We have a long and challenging tour of England coming up but right now we are completely focusing on the Asia Cup, which is also an important assignment."

He believes that a title-winning triumph in Dambulla will put his team on the right track for World Cup 2011. "A good showing in the Asia Cup would be a great start to our World Cup plans."