The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Shoaib Malik may lead Pakistan

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Wednesday, Apr 18, 2007
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Shoaib Malik may lead Pakistan

Karachi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to appoint all-rounder Shoaib Malik as the new captain in case senior batsman Younis Khan doesn't relent from his refusal to accept the job, sources said on Tuesday.

``The decision has been taken that Malik will be the next captain on a short-term basis. But even his appointment is subject to Younis Khan not changing his position about not accepting the captaincy,'' a well-placed source in the board said.

``Former captain Imran Khan and some members of the board feel that the Chairman should make one last attempt to convince Younis to change his mind. If that does not happen, Malik is then the unanimous choice,'' he said.

He said it was a wrong impression that Malik would be appointed on a long-term basis.

``What has been decided that Malik should be named captain for the one-day international against India at the Lord's slated in July for the Prince Charles charity and for the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa in September,'' the source said.

He will also be retained to lead the team in the home series against South Africa and then on the tour of India in November after which his performance would be reviewed, the source added.

"The one-dayer against India is likely to be Pakistan's first international assignment after the World Cup,'' the source said.

He said that the board had decided on Malik with an eye on the future but it was going to appoint him for a short term because all-rounder was yet to command a regular place in the Test team at the No. 6 position.

``Only the names of Malik and Salman Butt were discussed as possible captaincy options.

"Mohammad Yousuf, Shahid Afridi or Abdul Razzaq were never in consideration,'' the source confirmed.

He said the members had ruled against Yousuf as they felt making him captain would again raise the issue of the players giving more time to religious activities rather than just focussing on cricket, a problem which was also encountered with Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Malik who is playing for Punjab in Karachi in a domestic first class match refused to comment on his future. — PTI

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