National selector Ijaz Ahmed has urged the PCB to retain Shoaib Malik as captain for the home series against India.
Ijaz, a former Test batsman, who is now a national selector told reporters in Islamabad that in his personal opinion the captain of the national side should not be changed before a crucial series and would like to see Malik continue as a change in the captaincy for the Indian series might have a negative effect on the team.
"It is an important series for us as we have not played any Tests this year and India has always been our main rivals in cricket. It is better to continue with a captain whose style of captaincy the players know since last year," Ijaz said.
Malik's captaincy tenure ends on December 31, but PCB's governing body is expected to review the all-rounder's performance after December 31 and decide whether to retain him or appoint a new skipper.
However, there is a mixed feeling among former players regarding Malik's captaincy with many feeling he needs to be replaced by a more experienced cricketer like Younis Khan or Mohammad Yousuf. Since the appointment of new Chairman Ejaz Butt, the PCB has already changed the national team coach, sacking Australian Geoff Lawson and bringing in Intikhab Alam.
Ijaz termed Intikhab's appointment as a positive move forward for Pakistan cricket.
"I have played under him and I can say for a fact that he is technically very sound and also very good at man management. I know he and Imran Khan never compromised on discipline," he said.
He said the morale of the team will improve with Intikhab's induction as he knew the players well and had already made it clear he would be looking for a collective effort from them.
Ijaz said Pakistan cricket has still not recovered from the retirement of pace duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
"They were the sort of bowlers who are born in centuries. When they were on the field the entire team was confident and knew they could bowl out any side on any type of pitch. They were terrific bowlers," Ijaz said.
"It is an important series for us as we have not played any Tests this year and India has always been our main rivals in cricket. It is better to continue with a captain whose style of captaincy the players know since last year," Ijaz said.
Malik's captaincy tenure ends on December 31, but PCB's governing body is expected to review the all-rounder's performance after December 31 and decide whether to retain him or appoint a new skipper.
However, there is a mixed feeling among former players regarding Malik's captaincy with many feeling he needs to be replaced by a more experienced cricketer like Younis Khan or Mohammad Yousuf. Since the appointment of new Chairman Ejaz Butt, the PCB has already changed the national team coach, sacking Australian Geoff Lawson and bringing in Intikhab Alam.
Ijaz termed Intikhab's appointment as a positive move forward for Pakistan cricket.
"I have played under him and I can say for a fact that he is technically very sound and also very good at man management. I know he and Imran Khan never compromised on discipline," he said.
He said the morale of the team will improve with Intikhab's induction as he knew the players well and had already made it clear he would be looking for a collective effort from them.
Ijaz said Pakistan cricket has still not recovered from the retirement of pace duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
"They were the sort of bowlers who are born in centuries. When they were on the field the entire team was confident and knew they could bowl out any side on any type of pitch. They were terrific bowlers," Ijaz said.
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