Malik named Punjab captain for Pentagular tournament

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Shoaib Malik, the former Pakistan captain who was left out of the World Cup squad, has been named captain of Punjab's team for the upcoming Pentangular first-class tournament in Pakistan. Federal Areas, Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are the other four teams that will participate in a tournament that pits the top 75 players of the country against one another as provincial, rather than city-based or departmental sides.

Malik was in prime form through the domestic season, scoring 799 runs at an average of 88.77 for Pakistan International Airlines in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He has been appointed captain ahead of Kamran Sajid, under whom he played in the PIA side. Sajid is also in the Punjab squad.

Punjab have surprisingly left out Lahore Shalimar batsman Usman Salahuddin, the leading run-getter in Division Two of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy during the 2010-11 season, as well as his team-mate, offspinner Saad Nasim, who was the leading wicket-taker in the recently concluded One Day National Cup Division Two. The two have been named in Punjab's reserves.

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf, and Imran Farhat, who hit a century for Habib Bank Limited in their Faysal Bank One Day National Cup Division One match on Friday, are also in a strong Punjab side.

SHOAIB MALIK UPSET AFTER HIS EXCLUSION FROM THE WORLD CUP SQUAD

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Shoaib Malik upset after his exclusion from World Cup squad

Former Pakistan Captain Shoaib Malik has expressed his disappointment over his exclusion from the 30-man World Cup squad. Malik was under scrutiny by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and was under investigation by the PCB’s integrity committee.

The PCB has not revealed why Malik has been axed, and hence the decision has raised some eyebrows. The all-rounder has never been accused of match-fixing and has been in sublime form in the domestic circuit. His average this season in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier domestic competition, is just over 120 with 725 runs in the tournament.  

Malik has voiced his disappointment over the decision stating, “It's tough to pacify yourself when you are not given a reason for your omission. Cricket teaches you discipline, so with discipline and determination I will strive to get my place back. It's a great honour to play in the World Cup but I will not allow my confidence level to dip and will continue to perform at the domestic level”

Pakistan’s Chief Selector Mohsin Khan however, offered no proper explanation. He said, “The integrity committee has given its views on some players to the selection committee, which has taken into consideration that input and has selected the 30 players for the World Cup”

Along with Malik, wicket keeper Kamran Akmal and leg spinner Danish Kaneria were also being investigated by the committee. All three players were instructed to disclose their financial and physical assets to the committee. After days of investigation and speculation Akmal was granted clearance, and added to the World Cup squad, while Malik was axed. No decisive announcement was made on Kaneria’s future, but he was not included in the World Cup squad as expected.

Malik wasn't given reason for World Cup exclusion

Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan allrounder, has said he was not given any reason for his omission from Pakistan's 30 probables for the 2011 World Cup. Malik, a former Pakistan captain, had been under the scanner of the PCB's integrity committee along with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and legspinner Danish Kaneria. None of the three players has played for Pakistan since their controversial tour of England in July.

Pakistan had delayed the announcement of their 30-man squad till January 5 to give the three players a chance to provide evidence to clear them for selection, but only Kamran was included in the list for the tournament that starts on February 19.

"It's tough to pacify yourself when you are not given a reason for your omission," Malik said. "Cricket teaches you discipline, so with discipline and determination I will strive to get my place back. It's a great honour to play in the World Cup but I will not allow my confidence level to dip and will continue to perform at the domestic level." He has scored 725 runs at an average of 120.83 in Division One of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan's premier first-class competition, this season.

Kamran, meanwhile, expressed his delight at his inclusion among the probables. "I have always played cricket the right way and when the PCB asked me to appear before the committee I complied and I am happy that they have included me in the preliminary squad." Kamran told AFP.

Kamran, Malik and Kaneria had been asked to appearbefore the integrity committee and provide details of their bank accounts, assets and property holdings from the last three years, to clear their names from possible involvement in spot-fixing.

The PCB did not make it clear which of the players had been cleared. "There is a lot of speculation in the media regarding clearance or otherwise of players by the integrity committee of the PCB," Pakistan's chief selector Mohsin Khan said. "The integrity committee has given its views on some players to the selection committee which has taken into consideration that input and has selected the 30 players for the World Cup."

Kamran had received an ACSU notice earlier in the year regarding events during the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean but has since asked for and received a written clearance from the ICC. He had also been named by alleged bookmaker Mazhar Majeed on Pakistan channel Geo as among seven players obeying his orders during matches. He has scored 767 runs in the Quaid-e-Azam Division One this season, including a career-best 268.

The trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif, who faced an ICC tribunal in Doha on Thursday over spot-fixing allegations, were not in the 30 World Cup probables. Kamran said Pakistan could win the tournament despite their absence. "We have to play with the available players and I am sure that if we play to our potential we can win the World Cup," he said.

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It’s not the end of the world: Malik

Nani’s left-foot strike helped new-look United sink the Potters. PHOTO: AFP

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.”

credit :The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2011.

malik out of world cup 2011

Former Pakistan captain and all rounder Shoaib Malik is disappointed for not making into the 30-man preliminary squad of ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Malik was dropped by the selection committee as PCB integrity committee failed to issue NoC on selection of Shoaib Malik. Former skipper is in good form in current domestic season and has scored over 700 runs.  “It is hugely disappointing not to be selected in the World Cup squad and what more strange is that neither the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) nor the selection committee has given any reason for ignoring me. I was mentally prepared to be selected as I am in good form and am performing well in the domestic cricket. But I don’t know why they didn’t pick me,” Shoaib Malik said  Shoaib Malik said the PCB gave no reason for dropping him."It's tough to pacify yourself when you are not given a reason for your omission.Cricket teaches you discipline so with discipline and determination I will strive to get my place back"malik to media Shoaib Malik was positive about his future in international cricket and said, “my cricket career is not over yet and I will make a comeback into the international cricket soon.”

Imran Tahir, the Nashua Dolphins legspinner of Pakistani origin, has been granted South African citizenship by naturalisation and is now eligible to play for the country. Tahir has also fulfilled the ICC's regulations for representing his new country, having not played for the country of his birth at any level for more than 4 years.