Cricket: Malik’s performance under the scanner

PCB delays issuing central contract to former captain.

KARACHI:
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, preferred over Umar Akmal for the Tests against Sri Lanka, will be closely watched by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after an under-par show in Zimbabwe.

It has been learnt that Malik was drafted into the side because of his experience after he was cleared by the integrity committee of his suspected links with bookies. He played three One-Day Internationals and two Twenty20s, failing to make significant contribution with bat or ball.

However, the former captain managed to get into the Test squad but his show in Zimbabwe has forced the PCB to delay issuing him a central contract.


“Malik is in the squad because the selection committee wants to give him a proper chance,” said a top PCB official. “His performance in Zimbabwe was below par and he has a lot to prove. People say that he may return as captain soon but everything depends on his performance given that he’s not an automatic choice in the playing-eleven.”

The official pointed out the stiff competition in the side and emphasised that the former captain will have to perform quickly in order to keep his place. Malik is also missing the first round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy where all top players were told to be in action. The PCB official confirmed that it was not an issue since he sought the PCB’s permission to skip the match in order to accompany his wife, Sania Mirza, who is due for a knee surgery.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8th, 2011.
Load Next Story