Date:02/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110256201600.htm

Sport - Cricket

Ijaz backs Malik

Karachi: National selector Ijaz Ahmed has backed Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik and urged the nation’s cricket board (PCB) to retain him as captain for the forthcoming Test series against India early next year.

Ijaz, a former Test batsman, who is now a national selector told reporters in Islamabad that in his personal opinion the captain of the national side should not be changed before a crucial series and would like to see Malik continue as a change in the captaincy might have a negative effect on the team.

“It is an important series for us as we have not played any Tests this year and India has always been our main rivals in cricket. It is better to continue with a captain whose style of captaincy the players know since last year,” Ijaz said.

Malik’s captaincy tenure ends on December 31, but PCB’s governing body is expected to review his performance after December 31 and decide whether to retain him or appoint a new skipper. — PTI