Malik likely to be named captain

[Younis Khan #1]

Malik likely to be named captain

Osman Samiuddin

April 17, 2007



Shoaib Malik has emerged as the leading candidate for the Pakistan captaincy after discussions between Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials over the weekend. An official announcement on the decision is expected in the next two to three days.

The appointment, if Malik agrees, is likely to be till September, when the situation will be reviewed again ahead of a hectic international season that includes a full series in India and a home series against Australia.

The discussions centred on Malik and Salman Butt but it was narrowed down to the former as Butt currently does not hold down a place in either the Test or ODI sides. "In principle, a decision has been taken to offer it to Malik. There isn't really another suitable candidate around," one official told Cricinfo.

"We have a few assignments in the pipeline over the summer. There may be a series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi and a match in England so we are talking about Malik for that. We will review the situation in September, ahead of the home season," he added.

Nasim Ashraf, chairman PCB, refused to confirm or deny that Malik would be offered the captaincy but said that a decision was imminent. "No decision has been taken yet," Ashraf told Cricinfo. "We will make the decision in the next two to three days."

Whoever does become the captain, Ashraf added, would take charge of both the Test and ODI sides and is likely to be appointed, initially, on a series-by-series basis. "We will have one captain for both. I think in Pakistan cricket, it is advisable to have one leader in charge of both sides.

"Initially the appointment will be on a series-by-series basis. But eventually, before the India tour later this year, we will make a longer-term appointment," he added.

Though Malik has only played 18 Tests, in a number of different positions in the order, he has been earmarked for leadership by a number of people over the last two years, including Bob Woolmer. He has, however, become a vital cog in Pakistan's ODI outfit and has been among the most consistent batsmen for Pakistan in that form of the game since 2004.

There is a concern that senior players might not so readily accept a younger player as captain but at least Mohammad Yousuf, who said recently he was willing to become captain if it was offered, has sought to play down those fears. "If the PCB wants to appoint a junior player as the future captain, I absolutely have no issue with it", he told reporters on Monday.

"I have never been greedy. I want to serve my country, whether as captain or as an ordinary player, that's enough honour for me."

Younis Khan was originally in place to take over as captain after Inzamam-ul-Haq's resignation and retirement from ODIs, but he turned down the offer citing the mental strain of taking on one of cricket's toughest jobs.

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Seems logical enough to me. Hopefully this won't bare too much pressure on his shoulders.

[Karthik]

Well,if there was any debate of captaincy between Mohammed Yousuf and Shoiab Malik,then I guess Malik is a much better choice.To me,Yousuf wouldn't bat too well if he was named captain.The best player suited for the role,Younis Khan,but he refused it.

[Younis Khan #1]

Shoaib Malik has been appointed captain of Pakistan. He will lead both the Test and ODI sides until at least the end of 2007, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday.

As had been widely expected, Nasim Ashraf, chairman of the PCB, confirmed the appointment at a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore this afternoon. Malik, who succeeds Inzamam-ul Haq, becomes the 25th player to lead Pakistan.

Malik told Cricinfo of his elation at the appointment, but added that returning the team to winning ways would make him happier. "I am honoured and thrilled at the opportunity. But only when I can bring all the players together and get them winning again will I be really happy," he said.

Ashraf stressed that Malik was the best man for the job and a unanimous choice. "He is the future of cricket. He has intelligence and he has a good cricketing mind. Malik is the personality to get the best from players both senior and junior."

One body of Pakistani opinion has felt that Malik is too young and possibly not experienced enough for the job but Malik himself dismissed the concerns, arguing that he was ready. "I am ready. I may not have had much experience domestically of leading sides but I have learnt a lot under Inzamam's time. He spoke to me regularly when he was captain and I kept picking things up from him."

Malik's appointment comes after Inzamam's decision to retire from ODIs and concentrate on Test matches only as a player. Younis Khan, vice captain for two years and widely tipped to succeed Inzamam as captain, rejected the PCB's offer to lead Pakistan, citing the mental strain involved in the job.

But Malik revealed that he had no hesitation at jumping at the offer. "I had been sounded out about it a couple of times recently. But as soon as the offer was made, I said yes straightaway. It's such a big honour and to lead Pakistan through difficult times is such a big challenge. I am going to give it my best shot and that is all I can do."

He was also quick to dismiss suggestions that he might struggle to obtain support from players in the side who might be unsure and unhappy that someone with a relative lack of experience has been appointed captain. "I am confident that all the players will support and co-operate with me."

Malik has played 137 ODIs since his international debut in 1999 and it is as an ODI player that he has established himself, becoming one of Pakistan's most consistent and versatile batsmen over the last two years. He has also taken over a hundred wickets and is one of the best fielders in the side.

He has only played 18 Tests since his debut in 2001, though only recently has he become a regular member of the Test side.

[greg]

Strange choice as he is hardly what you would call a certainty to play in tests,then again he will be now.Good luck to him,he needs it after the 9 months Pakistan have just gone through.

[Younis Khan #1]

Strange to see Inzamam in the side but not as captain.

[Mr Hutt]

Bold moves by the PCB, they have hired a selection panel of proper paid selectors who atleast to me look impartial all having good experience at domestic level and now they have given Shoaib Malik the captaincy. A 25 yr old gettign captaincy is unheard of in this country. I hope this move brings us some wins and Malik gets all the heads togather.

[arsalan660]

I think this is a good decision by PCB in plenty of years now we hope and prayer that Malik done his job good and give Pakistani team success.

[Younis Khan #1]

New Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik will no longer have the final say on team selection, as his predecessor Inzamam-ul-Haq did.

The 25-year-old all-rounder was appointed skipper for the Test and one-day teams after Pakistan's World Cup humiliation at the hands of Ireland, and Inzamam's subsequent resignation.

And as the country seeks to institute measures to prevent another such disappointment in future, it has emerged that the captain's powers have been significantly reduced.

Whereas the selectors used to choose the squads, with the skipper and coach finalising the team, the selectors have now taken it upon themselves to pick the first XI as well.

Members of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will still consult with their captain about decisions, but the board will have the final say.

Former Test player Salahuddin Ahmed heads the new selection committee, which is aimed at reducing pressure on the captain. The team manager, coach, captain and vice-captain will select teams whilst on tour though, but the manager will take principal responsibility for selection.

Pakistan play in the Afro-Asia Cup next in June, where Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Kenya and India will all be involved.