Can’t even think of dropping Malik: Butt

KARACHI: A top official of Sialkot Region on Sunday said that he could not even think of dropping former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik for the Super Eight T20, which is expected to be held in Faisalabad from May 11-18.
“I cannot even think of that. He is the most valuable player of our team,” Sialkot Region’s president Nouman Butt told ‘The News’ on Sunday. “I was shocked to know through a media report that Malik has opted to play for Lahore Lions in the Super Eight,” he said.
A media report on Sunday said that Malik was forced to play as a guest player for Lahore Lions after being ignored by Sialkot Region for the national T20 event.
“I have left several messages for him. I have even left a message with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), requesting it to make my contact with Malik possible,” Butt said.
“Believe me I have not yet sent the squad to the PCB despite the expiry of the deadline which was April 30. I am waiting for Malik,” Butt said.
“Initially, the PCB wanted to hold the T20 event in April and we had been asked to send the squad by March 20. I sent the squad on March 20 to the PCB Director Domestics Intikhab Alam and Shoaib Malik’s name was at number four in the list. Malik had informed me at that time about his availability,” Butt added.
This correspondent tried to contact Lahore Region’s chief Nadeem Ahmed but he did not receive the call.
Malik played a key role in Sialkot Stallions’ achievements in domestic T20 events for several years as an all-rounder and skipper.
The other teams in the Super Eight T20 are Peshawar Panthers, Multan Tigers, Lahore Lions, Karachi Dolphins, Rawalpindi Rams, Abbottabad Falcons and holders Faisalabad Wolves.
The winners will make it to the Champions League T20 which is expected to be hosted by India from September 12.
The winners of the domestic T20 events from Pakistan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and fourth-place finishers in the IPL will play qualifying round of CLT20 from which two leading sides will enter the group stage.