Saturday, November 1, 2008

International Cricket, Malik unfazed by captaincy review


The embattled Shoaib Malik insisted that he is under no pressure because of the PCB's decision to review his captaincy.

The PCB is all set to use the upcoming three-match ODI series against the West Indies in Abu Dhabi to assess Malik's performance as skipper.
"I don't worry about my captaincy and what is going to happen in future. I just go out and give my best. But yes, who does not like the honour of being captain of the national team," Malik told reporters in Lahore where he is leading the Punjab team in the Pentangular Cup tournament.
The PCB's governing body is due to review Malik's tenure which ends on December 31 and the board has to decide whether to retain him or appoint a new captain.
"I am keen that we go for a clean sweep in the one-day series as it would boost our confidence for the Test series against India early next year," Malik said.
India are due to tour Pakistan to play three Tests, five One-day Internationals and a Twenty20 match in January which would be Pakistan's first Test rubber since December, 2007.
Pakistan have gone without a Test this year, the first time this has happened since 1970, due to postponement of Australia's tour in April.
The West Indies also offered to play two Tests in Abu Dhabi next month but then withdrew after failing to come to a financial agreement with the PCB.
Malik said the cancellation of the Test series against the West Indies was a big disappointment.
"Even though we were due to play in Abu Dhabi and not at home I was keen on the Tests as we needed some preparations for the India series which is so important for us," he said.
He pointed out that if Pakistan had played the West Indies, it would have helped prepare the players for the series against India. "But now we just have to concentrate on the one-dayers against the Windies and hopefully do well," he added.
Malik also made it clear that he was happy with the appointment of Intikhab Alam as coach of the national team.
"Intikhab is a good choice as he is a very experienced and senior person and I made my one-day debut when he was in-charge of the team and I liked the experience of playing under his supervision," Malik said.
Intikhab was appointed coach for the Abu Dhabi series and had also been offered a two-year contract by the PCB after they sacked Australian Geoff Lawson last week.
Lawson, Malik said, had gotten along well with the players and did his best to see the team do well.
"I wish him the best because it was nice playing under him. I can't comment on why the board decided to release him early," he stated.

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