Pakistan"s Shoaib Malik wants to play in World Cup

KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP) — Discarded former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik yesterday said he wanted to play in next year’s World Cup, but needed clarity on his role and must be told what is expected of him.

The 32-year-old played the last of his 216 One-Day Internationals in June 2013, but was included in Pakistan’s 30-man preliminary squad for the upcoming tournament.

Pakistan’s selection committee is likely to announce the final 15-man squad on January 7 after watching some of the probables in the Pentangular Cup competition, which started in Karachi yesterday.

Australia and New Zealand co-host the World Cup from February 14 to March 29.

Malik said he wanted to play for Pakistan.

“The World Cup is a big event and every cricketer wants to play in it,” he told the media. “It was portrayed that I don’t want to play, I was frustrated over being left out but I always wanted to play.”

Malik said he is not happy with the selection process.

“I have a problem with the system because we cricketers want clarity (on selection) and want to know what is expected of us and how many matches we are going to play because it increases confidence when a player knows how many matches he is going to play.”

He continued: “I am of the opinion that players who know the conditions of Australia and New Zealand can play well there.”

Malik is also due to play for Hobart Hurricanes in Australia’s ongoing Big Bash Twenty20 league.

“I am waiting for my visa and if I get it I will leave for Australia, but if I get clarity on my selection I can leave any league for Pakistan.”

Malik termed Australia, South Africa and India favourites for the World Cup.

“I want to see Pakistan win, but lately Pakistan’s combination is disturbed because of Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez being suspended over illegal bowling action, so in my opinion Australia, South Africa and India are top teams for the mega event,” he predicted.

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Pakistan"s Shoaib Malik wants to play in World Cup

Malik predicts "huge" success for LCPL

Sport

Friday, August 23, 2013

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik of the Barbados Tridents has predicted that the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (LCPL) will become “huge” after the success of the ongoing inaugural tournament.“After the IPL and the Big Bash League you can take this as third (in the world) and it is just the first year,” said Malik.“The response from the West Indies people has been awesome. Whenever you are playing a league it is about people coming to the ground; that is the key to success, and I have seen that here”.Malik has been one of the stars of the show as the leading batsman with 223 runs from seven innings, as well as three wickets.His side — led by Kieron Pollard — is getting ready to face Chris Gayle’s Jamaica Tallawahs in today’s second semi-final.“People have been coming from everywhere,” said Malik, still only 31 despite being a veteran of 32 Tests, 216 One-Day Internationals and 53 Twenty20 Internationals.“I was talking to the Jamaica players and they were saying ‘we were not expecting much of a crowd in Jamaica’, but we played there and even in a day game I saw the ground full and energetic.”The Limacol CPL has been a re-birth for Malik, who slipped out of international reckoning for Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe.However, during the LCPL preliminary round he has not only been a star with the bat but has also featured prominently with the ball, relishing pitches that have often assisted the slower bowlers.“I was struggling with my shoulder and my elbow, but I have had surgery for my elbow and I have worked hard in the gym every day,” he said.“Now I am absolutely fine. I can even bowl 30 overs in one day. I am very happy and I want to play as an all-rounder; that is my priority,” Malik ended.

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Malik predicts "huge" success for LCPL