"No Problem with Malik Missing the Pentangular Cup" : PCB

As the Pakistani cricketers prepare for their opening World Cup warm up match against Kenya in Sri Lanka, a player who many believe should have been included in the 15 man squad, Shoaib Malik will be watching the action from the television studio.

Former captain Malik was not available to the selectors and is being employed by an Indian television channel to commentate on the action during the World Cup.

The Pakistan Cricket Board Integrity Committee were not satisfied with Malik's explanations at sessions held prior to the selection of the 30 man provisional World Cup squad. The Integrity Committee were happy with Kamran Akmal's explanations and confirmed his availability to the selectors, however the Committee decided that Malik and Danish Kaneria's meetings were not "to their satisfaction" and neither player were allowed to be selected by Mohsin Khan and his selection committee.

Malik's form was excellent during the Quaid E Azam Trophy scoring 799 runs at an average of 88.77, but it was all in vain as he wasn't given the opportunity to become a double World Cup winner, having been part of the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup squad.

Speaking to PakPassion.net ; a PCB Media Spokesperson confirmed that the PCB had no problems at all with Malik missing the Pentangular Cup and he had asked for prior approval from the PCB.

"Malik had asked the PCB for permission in advance of the Pentangular Cup. He had informed us that he wanted to do some media work in India during the World Cup and a NOC was accordingly provided to him. We had no problem with him missing the Pentangular Cup."

Malik has had a turbulent time of late having been dropped from both the one day and test sides. His last test was in August of last year in England and his last one day appearance was in Sri Lanka against India in June last year.

Malik has been criticised in some quarters for turning down the captaincy of Punjab in the Pentangular Cup and instead opting for media work, but the PCB Spokesperson brushed aside the criticism and clarified that Malik had been an almost everpresent in the domestic season prior to the Pentangular Cup.

"He wasn't included in the World Cup squad of course and he asked the PCB well in advance of the Pentangular Cup and we had no objections in his going to India and doing the media work."