Disgruntled Malik seeks clarity in team selection

KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik on Wednesday said that he wanted ‘clarity’ about his role as a playing member of the country’s national team.
While looking utterly dejected by the way he was treated by the authorities in the past, Malik claimed that he was always ready to sacrifice personal gains over national interest.
“Playing for Pakistan is my priority. I can even sacrifice my stint in ‘Big Bash’ for the sake of my country but there should be some clarity,” Malik said at a press conference here at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
“The management should tell me that I will have to bat at such a position in a series, having such and such matches,” the 32-year old said.
“If such things are clear then a player focuses on his target and works hard for that. And it always turns out to be productive for the player and the team as well,” he added.
After the ICC T20 World Championship in Dhaka in March-April last year, Malik was not only dropped by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) from its central contract he was also ignored for the rest of the international commitments.
Malik played his last Test against England in Birmingham in 2010 and appeared in his last One-day International against India in Birmingham in 2013. And his last T20 International was against the West Indies in the T20 World Cup in Dhaka in which he scored just two runs.
“I had built substantial partnerships with Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal against India and Bangladesh but what happened with me in the T20 World Championship, it left me hurt,” Malik said.
“I could even score hundred today in the Pentangular Cup match but after looking at the pitch I knew that there should be more runs on the track and so I went for big shots,” said Malik.
Malik hit a 82-ball 70 with six fours and two sixes in the opener against Sindh Knights while representing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Fighters on Wednesday.
Malik dispelled the impression that he did not want to play for Pakistan.
“Every cricketer wants to play for one’s country and especially in the World Cup. There is a big difference in “I don’t want to play” and “I will not play”. But some people have misjudged what I meant to say,” Malik, who has played 32 Tests and 216 ODIs, said.
Malik stressed that he wanted to have a proper system not only for himself but for all cricketers.
“The thing which normally disturbs me is the lack of a proper system. And I want it not for myself alone but for all the cricketers.”
Malik said that chief selector Moin Khan had asked him about his plan and availability for the Pentangular Cup.
“Moin had called me and had enquired about my availability for the Pentangular Cup. I had told him that I will be available for the first two matches of the event and then I will go to Australia for Big Bash,” he disclosed.
The all-rounder will represent Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash.
Malik did not see bright winning chances of Pakistan team in the World Cup.
“I would like Pakistan to win the World Cup. But you know Pakistan normally rely on spinners and after the problems with Saeed Ajmal and now with Mohammad Hafeez, the selectors may be facing problems in picking a right combination. For winning an event you should need consistency and Pakistan’s bowling and batting is not that consistent,” Mahelik pointed out.
“Ahmed Shehzad is playing well and so is Hafeez. Haris Sohail is also doing a good job both with the bat and ball,” he said.
Malik said he would like to play as an all-rounder in the World Cup.
“If I was picked, I would like to act as an allrounder. I am not afraid about my action as I have no issue as I am playing all over the world without any problem.”
While responding to a question Malik said that Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have good chance to make it to the top four.
“I think India are also good but they may face problem. Because you know in Australia you need good pace bowlers while in New Zealand you need seam bowlers and I think India are facing problems in that area.”