Big Bash brings Malik big trouble

All-rounder turns up for Hobart without PIA’s permission.

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is at loggerheads with his domestic team PIA for ‘preferring’ Australia’s Big Bash Twenty20.

The experienced all-rounder missed the on-going domestic matches for PIA which is struggling to hold its own.

A top PIA official claimed the cricketer did not inform the management before leaving to represent Hobart.

“We may send a show-cause notice to him for leaving without permission,” PIA’s Deputy General Manager Shoaib Mohammad revealed in a TV interview.  “Malik is our experienced player and he is being missed severely by the team.” He added.

However, Malik has responded to the reports aggressively . “I took permission from both the PCB and PIA,” the all-rounder said in an interview.

“I have been playing for PIA for the last 17 years during which the department broke various promises but I continued to play for them. “If my character assassination is not stopped, I reserve the right to switch to some other team.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2013.

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