Karachi, May 31 (IANS) Pakistan cricket manager Intikhab Alam believes "good relationship" between the players and the team management was the prime reason behind Pakistan's 2-0 series triumph over minnows Ireland in Belfast.

"There was very good spirit in Ireland, like it was in the West Indies. I've always felt that it's very important that there is a good relationship and atmosphere between the players and the management on tours," Intikhab told pakpassion.com Tuesday.

"The boys did very well in what I would call very trying conditions for Pakistan. It was extremely cold especially having arrived from a tour of the Caribbean and the boys really felt the change in temperature. I was really pleased with the attitude, the guts and determination of the squad and it's heartening for the future."

Intikhab and the team will return home Wednesday and the team manager will soon appear before the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to give his detailed report about what went wrong during the tour of West Indies earlier this month. PCB sacked Shahid Afridi as Pakistan captain soon after the one-day series against the West Indies.

It is believed that Intikhab and coach Waqar Younis sent the board a very negative report about Afridi's conduct during the tour of the West Indies and that was the prime reason behind his removal as captain.