It’s not the end of the world: Malik

Malik was not considered for the 30-man World Cup squad that was announced on Tuesday alongside Danish Kaneria.

LAHORE: Disappointed after being overlooked for the World Cup, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said that “it’s not the end of the world” and he still has seven to eight years of cricket left in him.

Malik was not considered for the 30-man World Cup squad that was announced on Tuesday alongside leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

“I’m deeply disappointed after the exclusion from the preliminarily squad,” Malik told reporters. “Every player dreams to represent the country in the World Cup and I was also looking forward to it. I really wanted to help my team win the tournament and my form in the ongoing Quaid-i-Azam Trophy has been very good.”

Malik has scored 725 runs in the tournament in just seven innings of four matches including four centuries and two fifties. The former captain, who was dropped after the England tour, was one of three players being questioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Integrity Committee (IC) along with Kaneria and wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal. The three players were also asked to submit details of their assets and bank account to the board.

“What is strange is that neither the PCB nor the national selectors have given any reason for ignoring me and in fact the board’s press release said nothing against me,” said Malik.

The PCB had delayed naming the World Cup squad due to the three players’ clearance issue and while Malik claimed he did everything the PCB asked him, the IC did not give him the green signal.

Malik was reportedly under the International Cricket Council (ICC) scanner over suspicions of match-fixing. The Express Tribune, however, understands that the former captain was not included because of his failure to explain a bank transaction to the IC.

“I think I cleared up everything but I don’t want to comment any further. I want to play my cricket and perform. The rest is upto the selectors.

“I’m certainly disappointed but instead I’ll take the opportunity to play domestic tournaments and wherever cricket is being played in the world. Cricket is my bread and butter and I don’t want to muddle up myself in any controversy.”

Malik, who led Pakistan between 2007 and 2009, also clarified that he had no disputes with any player or the PCB. “I don’t have any differences with any one. I’ve been playing for quite a long time and under various cricket boards so I don’t want to go against any one and disrupt my ongoing form.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2011.