Malik included for Zimbabwe series
Two days after being cleared by the integrity committee, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has now included former captain Shoaib Malik in the squad for the Zimbabwe tour.
Malik, who was earlier put on the list of standby players when the squad was announced, was cleared to play for Pakistan after satisfying the integrity committee over a certain amount in his England bank account.
‘It’s like I’m making my debut’
Malik was delighted at having his name included in the squad after being overlooked for over a year.
“I’m delighted and looking forward to putting on a good show,” said Malik who joined the team’s training camp on the final day. “I’ll give my best to play a leading role and will live up to the selectors’ expectations.”
The former captain, who last played for Pakistan in the Test series against England in 2010, said the return was like making a debut.
“It’s like a debut for me but I’m confident of doing well.”
The 29-year old added that he had a lot of cricket left in him.
(Read: Malik now available to play for Pakistan)
A good sign: Waqar
Pakistan head coach Waqar Younis also termed Malik’s return a good sign for the national team.
“His inclusion will bolster us,” said Waqar. “He has a lot of cricket left in him.”
Mohsin terms inclusion beneficial
Meanwhile, chief selector Mohsin Khan hoped that the former captain’s inclusion will strengthen the team.
“After discussions with the team management everyone agreed that his experience would be beneficial.”
Malik showed worth: Misbah
Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq also welcomed Malik’s return and said that the seasoned batsman justified his place in the team after a good show.
“Malik’s return will be a valuable addition because he’s fit and in form,” he said.
Sohail questions decision
However, former captain Aamir Sohail said that Malik has returned due to political pressure.
“The PCB has cleared him due to political pressure,” said Sohail.
“If there was no charge against him, then how did the PCB sideline him for such a long period?”
However, Sohail hoped that Malik would prove his worth.
“He’s a talented player and hopefully he’ll perform well.”
Misbah promises fitting send-off for coach
Meanwhile, Misbah has promised on giving the perfect send-off to Waqar who will step down after the series.
“He’s already told us that this series shouldn’t be taken lightly,” Misbah told reporters. “I’ve seen his passion and we have to give him a good farewell by sweeping the series so that when he departs he can realise that his team has done wonders under him.” (WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY UMAR FAROOQ)
Mohsin Khan
“Malik’s name was already in the reserve list of players for the tour and the PCB integrity committee cleared him last week. After discussions with the team management everyone agreed that his experience would be beneficial.”
Aamir Sohail
“The PCB has cleared him due to political pressure. If there was no charge against him, then how did the PCB sideline him for such a long period? But he’s a talented player and hopefully he’ll perform well.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2011.
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Not long back, Shoaib Malik was accused of being a trouble maker and a termite by his team members.
Then, he redeemed himself by bringing in an Indian-bahu and thus became the darling of the nation. He has done Pakistan proud, by humiliating India by marrying an Indian celebrity tennis player and showed to the world that Pakistanis can achieve anything if they put their minds on something. We may be a failed state, our economy may be failing, our cities might be burning, but Indian stars love Pakistani men. This is enough for us to live on for some time !
This selection is a just reward for Shoaib Malik !
Being a Pakistan, I want the ICC to completely ban Pakistan from cricket now. That's probably the only way this nation will learn.
Yet another joke. We Pakistanis will never learn. I feel sorry for us.
Pakistan cricket has become a joke the world over . It has become a game of who is in and who is out . Sometimes Afridi after leading the team to the World Cup semi finals . Promptly he resigns or he is sacked. Then he makes with the Chairman , PCB and pays a fine of Rs 45 million . He is back in the team . Similarly Shoaib is in the team . But Waqar Younis is out .After missing cricket , Yousuf has been awarded. Why cannot we maintain consistency ?
Hats off to him and his supporter (Ashiq). What a planning by the vested interest; first the ouster of Afridi while the so-called integrity committee deliberates, then the press statements highlighting the lack of back-up and need to groom young talent as captain(s) and NOW Malek walks back into the team. Misbah get ready for the heat and being pushed out. Malek will be labeled a "stop gap" arrangement and handed over the reins, sooner rather than later.
Its not going to be funny when ICC bans Pakistan team from Test Cricket when it determines Government Intervention in PCB's Integrity Committee affairs to bring back a crooked cricketer who could not satisfactorily convince PCB's Integrity Committee on the sources of two deposits of Pounds 90,000 and Pounds 40,000 in his accounts respectively. Then when Pakistan is ostracized for grand larceny by the world every Khalifa will cry that the world is not being fair to us. Grow up Pakistan and get rid of corruption shackles otherwise like no one comes to Pakistan to play, no one will go out of the country to play either.
please be thankful to firdous ashiq awan and PCB head who allowed you after ebing forced by firdous ashiq awan...anyone wants to deny..
I wonder what he had to offer to Ijaz Butt to make it back in the team ratoun-raat ! Any guesses?
Last series of Waqar and first of Malik after a long gap. Great opportunity for opportunists.
Its Pressure, Favour, Source or Talent ????? on MR.MALIK'S come back.